Foxton Beach water mains to be flushed

The entire Foxton Beach water reticulation is to be flushed again in efforts to prevent some residents receiving water with colour, odour and taste issues.

Horowhenua District Council Water Services Manager Sarah Stephen says the work, to start this week, will help dislodge biological material that has built-up inside the Council-owned pipes.

"There may be a change in the colour, smell and taste of the water while the pipes are being flushed, but we can assure residents that the water is still safe to drink."

Ms Stephen says while most Foxton Beach residents are happy with their water, unfortunately some are still experiencing issues following the upgrade to the town's water supply completed last May.

This is due to the biological build-up inside the pipes reacting with the extra chlorine added to the water to improve the level of disinfection.

Ms Stephen says that the Council investigates every complaint it receives -  first checking its part of the reticulation before investigating the private side of supply, beyond the water connection point at the resident's boundary.

She says that for 57 of the 60 complaints received since last May the issue has been found to be at the resident's side of supply.

"While the issues are unpleasant for these residents, our experience shows that flushing the taps for 10 to 15 minutes has cleared the water of its discolouration and improved its odour and taste."

The cost to residents on water meters of flushing their taps for 10 minutes will be no more than 15 cents, with it costing between 0.5 and 1.5 cents per minute to run their water.

"Council understands residents concerns about the aesthetics of the water being supplied. If running their taps for 10 to 15 minutes does not resolve the issue, we ask them to contact the Council," Ms Stephen said.

ENDS

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