Water Scheme now "top priority'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 381, 9 April 1991, Page 1

Water Scheme now "top priority'

Council officers put Ohakune's water scheme at the too of their list. but add a reservoir and oark's board nenntiatinre

A pipe to the spring source is not an option, a reservoir is now necessary, and protracted negotiations with the Tongariro National Park Board are likely in relation to the Ohakune water supply treatment scheme.

These points were made to the Waimarino Community Board at their meeting last Thursday when a report from the technical services directorate was presented. Tests on the quality

and quantity of the water at the supply 's source were recently carried out and it was proved that the option of extending a pipe to the source was of no advantage. The spring water, while carrying less coliform

contamination, still carried giardia cysts so would still have to be treated. Also, the amount of water flowing from the spring was inadequate for the town's needs. "I personally am disappointed that there is giardia in the spring water and that there isn't sufficient quantity," said Mayor Carrick Workman. "It is beautiful waTurnpage2

Ohakune water "top priority"

From page 1 ter at its source." Top priority Asked what stage the project had reached, technical services director Bruce Dobson said it had now been made top priority for his department. "We've now come to the inevitable conclusion that a reservoir is a pretty important ingredient in the system because of the presence of giardia," said Mr Dobson. He said the water has to be filtered to a high degree to remove the giardia cysts and that a consistent flow is necessary to allow the filters to work properly. A reservoir would ensure a consistent flow

through the filters regardless of demand. Reservoir necessary He said a 200,000 litre tank, costing about $150,000, w'ould be necessary and that the best site from an engineering point of view would be in the Mangawhero Camp area, part-way up the Ohakune Mountain Road. This option however, goes against Tongariro National Park management policy and Mr Dobson said the council would have to negotiate with the board to try to convince them that it was necessary. Such negotiations usually take some . time, said Mr Dobson, with environ-

mental impact reports and the like a necessary ingredient. He said the other possible site up Soldier's Road would mean up to 800 metres of extra pipe would be needed. Two of the possible routes for the pipe would be through native bush, and ideally would have to be trenched, making it quite difficult. Less damage Mr Dobson said he thought the Soldier's Road option would lead to more damage to the park, with work being carried out through heavy bush, while the camp site would mean just a short diversion pipe from the present line to the site which is already cleared ground. Mr Dobson said his staff had looked at other sources of water in the area but all have been found to be polluted from carrot growing sprays and washing operations. Increased costs Councillor Doug Bennett asked why the reservoir needed to be 200,000 litres. He said

the idea of a reservoir had been discussed several years ago. "It's going to increase the costs quite considerably and the bulk users (carrot washers) will go off and do their own thing and then the need for such storage capacity won't be needed," said Mr Bennett. He said five or six bulk users consumed about a third of the supply.

Mr Dobson was asked if a start time for construction work had been set. He said the tentative programme would see work started in July, depending on the reservoir site decision. Mr Workman said he would like to thank local resident Alan Whale for his help in the investigation of the water supply 's source.