$2m will help fund water in South Hokianga

The council had been working with Te Aupouri Maori Trust board and the supplier to improve water quality in Te Kao.

The Government has granted subsidies totalling almost $2 million to build a safe water supply for Omanaia and improve water storage at Rawene, both in South Hokianga.

However, Far North District Council applications for similar subsidies for Opononi-Omapere and Te Kao have been turned down.

Several water schemes across the Far North are in dire need of improvement due to poor water quality or susceptibility to drought. Water restrictions in South Hokianga, where most supplies come from small streams, are an almost annual occurrence.

Infrastructure committee chairman John Vujcich said proposals for upgrading water supplies were included in the council's recently signed-off long term plan.

Ratepayers agreed that the schemes need to be upgraded but the cost could be unaffordable, especially where there were few users to share the costs.

He was therefore especially pleased for Omanaia residents who had long drunk untreated water from Petaka Stream.

"This situation is unsatisfactory but has been going on for many years. The Ministry of Health drinking water subsidy will help us ensure that residents of this isolated settlement receive the safe drinking water they're entitled to."

The drinking water subsidies for Omanaia and Rawene total $1.87 million. Mr Vujcich was, however, disappointed the ministry had declined subsidies for Opononi-Omapere, which relied on two small, drought-prone streams, and Te Kao, where water is untreated and comes from a private supplier.

The council had been working with Te Aupouri Maori Trust board and the supplier to improve water quality in Te Kao. A report on options for the Opononi-Omapere and Te Kao projects, plus a timeline for the Rawene and Omanaia projects, will be prepared for the infrastructure committee. It is not clear what effect the financial woes facing Te Aupouri Maori Trust board will have on Te Kao's water upgrade.

Private water schemes at Utakura, Waima and Whirinaki also received Health Ministry subsidies.