The new Balmoral Tuapeka Rural Water Scheme marks a major milestone in the Clutha District Council’s investment in secure, reliable, and compliant rural water infrastructure.
The $26.2 million project includes a new water treatment plant, 42km of new pipeline, three booster pump stations and new borefields.
The new pipeline runs from the Clutha River Bridge at Clydevale to Lawrence and Cockleshell Road in Tuapeka West.
Councillor Roger Cotton, who is the scheme’s immediate past chairman, says the project recognises the importance of rural water schemes to households, farms, businesses, and communities.
Many of the original water treatment plants serving the area were installed in the 1970s and have supported local households, farms, townships, and livelihoods for decades, Cr Cotton says.
“Communities grow, standards change, and the need for a secure, reliable and high-quality water supply becomes even more important.”
The scheme officially became operational in April with the Lawrence connection completed on 3 June 2026.
It serves 273 urban connections and 619 rural connections.
Construction began in early 2023 and the new scheme services people on the former Balmoral 1 and 2, Tuapeka East and West schemes, and the townships of Waitahuna and Lawrence.
With the new plant and upgrades in place, the old plants at Waitahuna and Evans Flat have been decommissioned. The Lawrence plant will also be decommissioned.
The scheme is currently the biggest connected rural water scheme in the district.
Council acknowledges the contribution of everyone involved in the project, including design and construction teams, contractors, landowners, and community members.
The scheme open day on 17 July gave the community an opportunity to look through the scheme’s plant near Clydevale.
