$5500 p.a. for vege washers' water

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 250, 12 July 1988, Page 3

$5500 p.a. for vege washers' water

Engineers have told the District Council that if industrial use of water in Ohakune is not curbed stage two of the planned water treatment system may be needed in three years.

Payne Sewell Ltd, the Waimarino District Council's engineers, were asked to estimate the annual costs of running the water treatment system. This was to find out h o w

much the town's four vegetable washing sheds would be charged for use of the treated water. With just the first stage of the water treatment system im-

plemented the washers would be charged an estimated $5500 each. This represents 30 per cent Of the running costs. The report, from engineer Tony Gordon, estimates the washers use 30 per cent of the total water used in the winter months. The annual percentage used is unknown says Mr Gor-

don but is probably of a similar order. With the second stage implemented and industrial use at about 25 per cent the four washers would b e charged $10,200 each. Payne Sewell say if the industrial peak use can be curbed either by a reduction i n c o n s u m p tion or by provision of on-site

water storage, Stage Two could be delayed by six to seven years. They estimate the cost of water storage to be $25,000 to $35,000. District Council engineer Don Sattler has said Payne Sewell have only been able to estimate industrial use based on information

available. They say unless a water meter is installed they can not accurately calculate the washers' water consumption. Mr Sattler has recommended to the council that they consider the use of a water meter and that they meet with the washer operators again. (A meeting was held last month with the Works and Reserves Committee and the vegetable growers to discuss the matter.) He has also recommended to the council

that a leak detection programme be introduced. This follows Payne Sewell's observation that night time water use is unaccountably high. They advised the council a leak detection programme would cost an estimated $6500. The recommendations and report from Payne Sewell are on the agenda of the Waimarino District Council's Works and Reserves Committee meeting tomorrow, July 13, at 6.00pm.