Marlborough District Council has received a formal direction from the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai to provide a programme of work and funded plan to install multi-barrier drinking water treatment for the rural Awatere water supply.

“Council acknowledges this direction and the Authority's role in ensuring New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water,” said Richard Coningham, Establishment Chief Executive for the Council’s incoming water services organisation.

“We take our responsibilities to Awatere residents very seriously and will work constructively with the Authority to seek a safe and workable solution.”

The Awatere water supply serves approximately 330 homes in a rural mixed-use area.

“Council is planning to consult with the Awatere community in April this year on treatment options for the supply, which has had a boil water notice in place for a number of years. The direction from the Authority does not change that process and community input remains a critical part of how Council considers options and their costs.

“Installing full multi-barrier treatment infrastructure involves significant capital expenditure. Council must balance the safety imperative with its obligations to ratepayers, particularly given the relatively modest number of properties served by this supply and the cost implications per household,” he said.

“Council will engage with the Authority to discuss the direction and provide a response within the required timeframe. We will also keep the Awatere community informed as this process progresses.”

Seddon township has a modern water treatment plant, opened in 2019, which meets drinking water standards and is not subject to this direction, which relates only to the rural Awatere supply outside the township.

Marlborough District Council is establishing a dedicated water services organisation to manage the delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the Marlborough region. The organisation will bring focused governance and operational expertise to key water infrastructure, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and sustainably into the future, from 1 July 2027.

Image: Former Mayor John Leggett (left) with Seddon Water Users Group’s Rick Hammond at the opening of the Seddon water treatment plant in March 2019

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