Bylaw seeks to increase rural water storage in Tararua District

Tararua District Council's manager of strategy and district development Peter Wimsett says untreated roof water and can contaminate the treated water provided from the council supply. Photo / File

A proposal to change the water supply bylaw for the Tararua District will affect some properties in Norsewood and Akitio which could mean residents will need to purchase new storage tanks.

It is proposed to implement a new requirement for residents in Akitio and Norsewood to increase existing or new storage tank capacity to 20,000 litres minimum, within a year of the adoption of the bylaw.

The Havelock North water enquiry has identified a number of risks which must be addressed across New Zealand, Peter Wimsett, council's manager of strategy and district development, said.

"Until recently, roof water was considered a way to supplement household water, however, this is untreated and can contaminate the treated water provided from the council supply," he said.

"It does not make sense to go to the expense of installing 21st-century water treatment systems only for people to remain exposed to almost certain contamination from roof water. The wind carries many contaminants on to roofs while other direct sources of contamination may include birds, insects and other animals. The free available chlorine in the treated water may not be sufficient to also treat the roof water when they blend together.

The council has been seeking the public's views over February and March on the proposal and wants to ensure affected households understand the benefits and costs being proposed.

"Norsewood and Akitio have a history of water shortages caused by regular summer droughts with only a limited source of water," Mr Wimsett said. "Increasing the size of smaller tanks and ensuring any new tanks are of an adequate size will increase the resilience of the town water supplies in times of future water shortages."

Having adequate home tanks will also improve the general reserves of water as a buffer to council water reserves when it they are needed for fighting fires.

"People can draw from their tanks when there is high demand on the main supply and their tanks will automatically recharge at quiet times of demand," Mr Wimsett said.

The proposal applies to customers connected to the water supply where they already have a water storage tank, or they intend to install a new tank.

Council staff will work with these customers to move them across to the higher capacity tanks where these tanks are required. Council's finance team will also manage requests for financial support, by application, to assist those who cannot finance the capital cost of installing compliant tanks, with the council also likely to be able to negotiate special pricing for tanks.

"We realise people will be affected by the proposed changes and want to be available to allow people to discuss the effects and to be able to make informed submissions," Mr Wimsett said.

Public meetings regarding changes to water supply:

* Water and General Bylaws Consultation: Wednesday, March 21, 4pm to 6pm - Norsewood Community Hall, Coronation St.
* Pongaroa Town Water Treatment Upgrade and General Bylaws Consultation: Thursday, March 22, 4pm to 7pm, Pongaroa Community Centre, 10797 Route 52, Pongaroa.
* The Tararua District Council's Bylaws Review Statement of Proposal summarises the proposed changes for each of the 14 bylaws under review and includes a copy of the dog control policy. You can obtain a copy of the Statement of Proposal in any of the following ways:

•Downloading a copy from www.tararuadc.govt.nz/consultation.
•Requesting a copy to be sent to you by calling 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.
•Collecting a copy from any Council Service Centre or Tararua District Library.

Submissions will be received up until 5pm on Tuesday, April 3.