Picton and Waikawa water supply upgrade on track

The quality of Picton and Waikawa’s residential water supply has reached a new standard following the commissioning of two ultra-violet treatment units at the Speeds Road water treatment plant.

Contractors are completing a $4.14m upgrade to the plant this month to ensure a more reliable supply of water that meets national quality standards.

Marlborough District Council’s Assets and Services Manager, Richard Coningham, says one of three new bore pumps is now operating, with the other two expected to be in action over the next fortnight.

“We’ve begun to pump half of the town’s water supply through the new system, and it’s running extremely well,” Mr Coningham says.

By Friday (3 March), two bore pumps will be producing the town’s water supply at 58 litres/second, while a third will be on standby a week later to ensure a reliable supply of water.

Mr Coningham says water conservation efforts by Picton and Waikawa residents during the plant’s final commissioning stage have helped the project immensely, and thanks residents who are complying with alternate day sprinkler restrictions throughout February. “People’s efforts to conserve water this month have ensured we haven’t had water shortages so far, even during the past week’s hot temperatures,” he says.

The restrictions remain in place until Friday (3 March) when the plant will be running back at capacity.

ENDS

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