Ohakune water choice questioned

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 251, 19 July 1988, Page 3

Ohakune water choice questioned

Two Waimarino District Councillors have questioned the wisdom of the Ohakune Borough Council decision to install an ultra violet water treatment system.

This follows the months of debate the former borough council went through to arrive at the decision. Mr Ken Summerhays, a Raetihi ward councillor and Mr Doug Bennett, a rural ward councillor, suggested to the Works and Reserves Committee last week that the UV system was possibly not the best choice for Ohakune.

There was fierce opposition to this suggestion from Ohakune ward councillors. "The flaw in the whole scheme is ... the council has to put in a chlorination system as a back up to the U V system" said Cr. Bennett. (Payne Sewell engineer Mr Young later told the Bulletin the

back up chlorination system was a very cheap and basic system.) "What would be the minimum cost ... if we do away with the U V system and put in a chlorination scheme and put in smaller holding tanks," asked Cr Bennett. "We have in fact researched those things and they were subject to considerable debate," said Mr Young. " "Well we're a different council now," said Cr Bennett.

Cr Sue said there should not be any more exploratory costs added. Sue: "We have decided on UV." Gould: "It wasn't unanimous but it sure was gone over and over and over." Summerhays: "The point is if there is a cheaper way and if it's beneficial ..." Sue: "This is what the people wanted." Summerhays: "Do they? Do they know the costs involved and comparisons." Sue: "Anyone who was interested was aware of it." Summerhays: 'Tnings have changed a lot since then."

Sue: "Certainly. They would also have done if we were using another system." Summerhays: "Possibly but it concerns council that we may spend more money than is necessary." He suggested councillors think about alternatives. "I believe you are out of order Mr Chairman This has been discussed and this is what has come up from thc Borough of Ohakune before this amalgamation even existed and you are out of order even suggesting that," said Cr Sue. 'Tll withdraw it then," said Cr Summerhays.