Media Release:  Monday 12 December 2016

Public drinking water taps installed at Foxton and Foxton Beach

Crystal-clear drinking water is now available from two public-accessible water tap stations at Foxton and Foxton Beach.

Horowhenua District Council’s Water and Waste Services Manager Paul Gaydon says the taps have been installed so that residents and visitors can fill containers with treated and filtered water, providing an alternative option to purchased bottled water.

The taps are located outside the Foxton Pools on Main Street and outside Holben Pavilion at Foxton Beach.

Horowhenua District Mayor Michael Feyen initially proposed having public drinking water taps, such as in some other town and city centres.

Mayor Feyen says that for Foxton and Foxton Beach to now also have some is “absolutely fantastic” for both communities.

“You can press a button on the top to fill up a drinking water bottle, or use your knee to push another button lower down to fill up a larger container while holding it with both hands. They’re even designed in the shape of the Foxton Water Tower. It’s just great.”

Mayor Feyen praised the efforts of Mr Gaydon as well as Water Services Engineer Ryan Hughes, who also worked on the project to make it happen before the summer holiday period.

Mr Gaydon said that since he started at Horowhenua District Council eight months ago, one of his main priorities has been to solve the water clarity problems at Foxton and Foxton Beach.

“The drinking water stations are merely a temporary solution,” he said.

“Over the past eight months we’ve done a lot of investigation work to truly understand the problem, look at all the options available, and then identify and implement the right solution to fix the problem once and for all.”

Mr Gaydon said that water clarity issues has also been due to manganese, a naturally-occurring groundwater mineral that had built-up on the water mains pipes, and that had been dissolving and subsequently discolouring the water.

In August the pH-level of the water in the supply was adjusted slightly to decrease its acidity and increase its alkalinity, helping stop the manganese building-up. In addition, the pipes were being flushed to help remove the manganese.

Mr Gaydon said this was working as tests were showing that that manganese had almost worked its way out of the reticulation.

ENDS

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