Commissioning to commence for new Balmoral/Tuapeka rural water scheme
Commissioning of 41.5km of trunk mains, new bores, treatment plant and pump stations to combine 5 previous schemes to form the Balmoral/Tuapeka Rural Water Scheme is expected to commence this week and is due to be completed within the next two months. This $25 million project is to secure the future water supply for a significant portion of the Clutha District.
Following this, a thorough testing process including flushing of the reservoirs and pipes will need to occur, to meet drinking water compliance for the areas that are currently on boil water notices including Balmoral 1 and 2, Tuapeka West and East schemes and the Waitahuna Township. Due to the size and complexity of this project, commissioning of the scheme will occur in phases. Commissioning will begin at the bore field and water treatment plant and will progress through the scheme over the following two months.
The final stages will see the connection of Lawrence to the new water supply, once Council is assured that the water is fully compliant with drinking water standards. Council expects this final stage to be completed before December 2025.
The new scheme will lead to the decommissioning of three water treatment plants, Evan’s Flat, Lawrence and also the Waitahuna water treatment plant where some E. coli results have been recorded. The new scheme will satisfy Taumata Arowai’s requirement, issued to 27 council suppliers across NZ following the cryptosporidium outbreak in Queenstown in September 2023, to provide protozoal barrier treatment at all water treatment plants.
Clutha District Council Deputy Chief Executive Jules Witt says that the new water scheme, once commissioned, will improve security of supply and improved water quality.
“Rural consumers previously receiving Council water in these areas will soon receive their water from the new Balmoral-Tuapeka supply.”
“Many of these water schemes have been on long-term boil water notices since 2022 when the new drinking water standards came into effect. Once compliance is met under the drinking water standards, the boil water notices will be lifted.”
“By leaving Lawrence as the final stage of connection, we are ensuring that there is absolutely no contamination in the line that could affect Lawrence’s current status of drinking water compliance. Lawrence is not on a boil water notice, and it is important that this does not change.”
Council strongly urges rural consumers to have their water tanks flushed, serviced, and cleaned once they are advised that the new supply is up and running. By doing so, you will be helping to ensure that your property receives clean, safe water that is clear of any residual contaminants.
There may be up to three months of testing before we can confirm that the water supply consistently meets all the requirements for the Boil Water Notices to be lifted.
Council will provide regular updates on its website as progress continues.
[ENDS]
Contact: Deputy CE Jules Witt P: M: 021 02577570
