Marlborough District Council will install a temporary ultraviolet (UV) treatment plant in Havelock, and once installed, lift the boil water advisory recently issued for the town.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said it was great news.

“I’m very pleased to say that we now have a solution that means we’ll be able to lift the boil water advisory in two months’ time, rather than in three years’ time.”

“It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the people of Havelock, particularly for food, hospitality and accommodation businesses. They have my sympathy and I thank them for their patience and understanding while we worked through this.”

“I’d like to acknowledge Council’s Infrastructure and Services engineers for their focus on finding a temporary solution to see us through until the new water treatment plant is built.”

Richard Coningham, Group Manager Infrastructure and Services, said:

“We aim to install the temporary plant within eight weeks, assuming good weather and no other issues. It requires earthworks to build a platform to support a large container housing the UV equipment, which will sit next to our existing chlorine treatment plant.”

“We also have to upgrade the power supply and Marlborough Lines has confirmed it has the equipment in stock and should be able to work within our timeframe.”

“Costs are expected to be in the range of $750K, some of which will be recoverable through the reuse of equipment for the new permanent plant to be opened in 2028.”

The budget set aside in Council’s Long Term Plan for Havelock’s permanent plant is $14M.

“The Water Services Authority Taumata Arowai has advised that Council needs to draft a new Water Safety Plan to show how we are managing risk using the temporary treatment plant. We expect this to be completed at the same time as the plant installation, over the next eight weeks,” Mr Coningham said.

“If all goes well, we’ll be able to lift the boil water advisory by mid-September. In the meantime people should continue to boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing food. Advice on this is available on the Council website.”

Go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/utilities/water-supplies/havelock-water-supply/frequently-asked-questions-boil-water-advisory-havelock

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