Site of the Awatoto drinking water bore, which has drilled halfway to its target of 120 metres into the ground. It is slated for completion in May 2022. Photo / Supplied
Site of the Awatoto drinking water bore, which has drilled halfway to its target of 120 metres into the ground. It is slated for completion in May 2022. Photo / Supplied
Investment that will mean Napier's taps flow with clean water more reliably is coming, but not until after summer.
Napier City Council has begun work on two new bores with the aim of using them to supply 25 per cent of Napier's drinking water.
The bores, in Awatoto and Taradale,are at different stages of completion, but are scheduled to be finished by the middle of 2022.
They will take over from existing seasonal bores that are higher in manganese, with the aim to reduce the number of dirty water events, according to the council.
"The two existing bores that have elevated manganese levels will be operationally maintained and only used as a last option if water demand gets high during particular times of the year - this adds resilience to our drinking water network," a council spokesperson said.
When manganese in water is exposed to oxygen or chlorine, it oxidises to manganese dioxide, a black solid that can be deposited in pipes and turns water black.
Seven bores supply NCC drinking water network, increasing to nine with the new bores.
The total amount of drinking water taken by all bores will remain the same after the new bores are completed.
Complexity and a contractor shortage are the two main reasons acting director infrastructure services Debra Stewart said the council could not complete the new bores before summer.
"Drilling a bore, design and construction of water treatment plants and the auxiliary pipe, electrical and control system is complex. Also contributing to this is contractor availability due to national focus on achieving drinking water compliance now and the future," she said.
The Awatoto bore is halfway to its target depth of 120 metres and is due to be finished in May.
The plan for the Taradale bore is to lay a gravel pad by Christmas and begin drilling next month.
Napier has had problems with dirty water ever since it introduced chlorine. Photos / Facebook
According to the council, Napier can use up to 40 million litres of drinking water every day during the height of summer.
Stewart said the bores are key to ensuring clean, safe, sustainable drinking water for Napier.
"Securing a good source of water is complex and involves a team with a diverse range of skills, but getting it right has a massive impact on our community, especially as our population and economy grows," she said.
If dirty water is coming out of the tap, the council recommends running it for 15 minutes to clear it.
