More Ohakune water problems

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 274, 14 February 1989, Page 1

More Ohakune water problems

Council works staff have come up against another problem with the Ohakune water supply and the news caused concern among councillors at last week's works committee meeting.

Staff had been instructed to measure the water flows - the data to be used to decide whether just Stage One of the proposed ultra violet water treatment system could be built or if Stage Two, which involves water storage for greater capacity, would be needed from the start. The district engineer reported to the works committee:, last Thursday that because of the pipe set-up below the supply dam the flow reading meter does not work effectively. His report states that the line is mainly eight inch pipe but that there is a reduction to seven inch pipe where the present pressure releasing valve is located. He states that the pipe is outdated and the required valves for its

size aren't available and that "the whole section of seven inch pipe is in a bad state of repair". Replace line He suggested the solution would be to replace the section of pipe and install a new pressure release valve, adding that the valve would have to be replaced when the new treatment system is installed. The estimated total cost of the work is $9750. "Unless we take the existing valve system out there is no way that we're going to get a correct flow test," said the district engineer Don Sattler. "If its insistent upon that we need that flow test to get approval for the scheme then the only way would be to install the new valve."

"We've been messing around now, it's more than three years that this restricted piece hasn't been giving us the correct flow," said Cr Bruce Thompson. "Well, who's been messing around," asked , Mayor Workman. "Our engineers, the ones with the black letter head," said Cr Thompson. Scheme plans "Well, Don made an interesting comment before," said Mayor Workman. "He said he presumes this (the plans brought to the

meeting) is the scheme that is approved. I thought...this had all been handed over to (the works staff) and I thought it would be more up with the play. Is there some reason why this is not the case, Don?" Mr Sattler said he had found the plans in

the last two weeks with the help of the district manager. He said prior to that he'd been getting only the inward and outward correspondence which was "only about three letters". He said he was "unable to ascertain any direction as to Turnpage2

More Ohakune water problems

From page i what the scheme was". Mayor Workman said, "we put this in your hands back last September-October and up to now it's been withheld, you haven't been able to find it (the scheme plans) until two weeks ago? that seems incredible. What's going on? Can someone answer that?" "I can answer that but I'd rather not do so publicly," said District Manager John NJiurrihy. Reports "There's been reports like that almost every two or three years which we pay dearly for and I've handed all of my (notes) over to Craig (Ryland) just recently. This is an '87 report. I don't think I've ever seen this one," said Cr Thompson. "We talked at every full council, every works meeting on water and its seems to have gone round and round in circles," said Cr Thompson. "Is that the approved scheme?" asked Mayor Workman. Cr Thompson and the district manager said as far as they knew it was. Committee chairman Ken Summerhays said, "I understood we were still to decide which scheme we were going to approve." "Oh no, that's been decided," said Cr Thompson. He said the only thing that was left "up in the air" was the amount of flow which comes into the town. He said there was disagreement between the engineers and Ohakune residents about the amount of water the present system delivers. "Their idea is to do a complete new line right back to the intake," said Cr Thompson. "We strongly be-

lieve we've got sufficient water." He said an alternative was to provide storage (Stage Two of the proposed scheme). "And that's why this flow reading has been so important," he said. "The last three years we've been arguing and now we find we've got a restricted line." Cr Summerhays asked if Mr Sattler had told the consultant engineers, Payne Sewell Limited, about the restriction and if they had any comment on it. "No, we haven't informed them, that is cost to start with and as it was placed in the hands of Craig and myself, then, that's the information that we've put forward to you," said Mr Sattler . "The only way you're going to get a true flow test, and in actual fact I would have thought that the consultants would have pointed this out some considerable time ago, that your going to get an untrue one until you make these alterations." Cr Tom Punch said he didn't think the engineers were aware that there were restrictions in the line. "Perhaps they didn't, I would think that when you're paying professional people to do such reports that it should becorne quite obvious," said Mr Sattler. "Are you therefore saying that the professional standard leaves a lot to be desired in this instance?" asked Cr Compton. Mr Sattler said he would not answer that question. He reiterated that the work recommended by him and his staff was necessary to measure

the flows, and that he thought it should have been pointed out much earlier. Next step Chairman Summerhays asked what the committee saw as the next step and Cr Thompson said he felt they had to go ahead with the line and valve replacement, making sure the equipment was installed to fit in with the proposed scheme. The committee decided to recommend to full council that the line and valve replacement go through. "Let's get this thing under way because we've got reports coming though all the time that Ohakune's water is not good," said Cr Summerhays. "Well of course there's still a lot of us who think that's a load of rubbish," said Cr Frew. "I mean who's ever been infected by the Ohakune water, What nonsense."