Raetihi closer to regaining water

Raetihi's reservoir has been cleaned and refilled but there is more work to be done before usable water returns to the town's taps.

Cleaning of the reservoir was expected to be completed by midday yesterday, allowing it to be refilled for flushing the town's water pipes, following the Turoa skifield diesel spill which caused the town supply to be switched off last week.

The Ruapehu District Council and water contractor Veolia Water had completed the cleaning of the raw water line between the reservoir and the settling ponds on Thursday.

Council chief executive and civil defence controller Peter Till said the refilling process was to be completed overnight last night and that the flushing of the reticulated system would occur in different blocks of Raetihi at a time.

"Re-pressurising an old network like Raetihi's is a delicate process and there may be the odd mains break that needs to be fixed as we go," he said.

Once the flushing process was under way, any water which was available at residents' homes should not be used for any purpose until advised.

"Once this stage is complete we then need to get an all-clear from the Ministry of Health that the water in the mains network is safe for human consumption before starting on the flushing out of domestic plumbing and returning water into homes."

Mr Till said testing the mains water required three clear samples taken at random points around the network and that stage would be supported by the Fire Service going door-to-door around the township.

The rainfall forecast for the weekend is expected to raise the contaminated Makotuku Stream, which feeds the town's water supply, and help flush diesel residue out of banks and vegetation as Horizons Regional Council continues its own cleanup efforts.

The council's group manager strategy and regulation, Dr Nic Peet, said another 100mm of rain was predicted through until today, which could be enough to flush most of the remaining diesel through.

"If it falls as predicted, vegetation and the sides of the channel will be inundated for several hours at least and we anticipate a reduction in the amount of visible residue coming down the stream by Monday," he said.

Horizons staff would carry out visual sampling early next week with a view to taking formal samples, should sniff and sight tests find significant amounts remaining, Dr Peet said.

Soil removed from Turoa skifield had tested positive for very high levels of hydrocarbons and results due back next week would confirm whether further soil excavation is required.

Absorbent booms would remain in place until Monday, except for the Horopito boom which would be relocated further upstream to measure further contamination.

The next public meeting to update residents on the spill and the recovery efforts will be held at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club on Tuesday at 5.30pm.