News release
10 December 2010
New water storage lake investigations underway

Investigations are underway into the land being considered for a potential water storage lake at Kaitoke, adjacent to State Highway 2.

“We’ve now begun the geological and geotechnical stage of the investigations,” says Murray Kennedy, General Manager of Greater Wellington’s Utilities and Services Group.

“This will involve diggers being at the site from 13 December. The diggers will excavate several pits up to 5 metres deep to help us determine the nature of the soil and whether it’s suitable to use for earth embankments. We expect this to take about a week.”

Mr Kennedy says that after Christmas, a drilling rig will be brought in to conduct further investigations at a depth of up to 30 metres. This work is likely to take about three weeks.

The investigations aren’t expected to result in any disruption to neighbours.

Further investigations, including research into environmental, social and cultural issues, will take place in early 2011. Investigations are likely to conclude by the middle of the year.

ENDS

Background information

• Earlier this year Greater Wellington secured an option to buy AgResearch Ltd’s land at Kaitoke, adjacent to State Highway 2, with the intention of investigating the land to find out if it’s suitable for a water storage lake.
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• The size of the proposed lake is yet to be determined but it could potentially have a capacity of around 5,000 million litres, making it around 50% larger than both of the Stuart Macaskill water storage lakes combined.
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• If the site is seen as suitable for a storage lake, it will be considered along with other options that Greater Wellington has previously investigated for future water supply. Consenting and construction would take 5-8 years after that, depending on the option chosen.

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