Waipaoa supply stable, pipeline repair going well

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Some level of treated water supply from the Waingake pipeline to Gisborne is on track for the end of March, Gisborne District Council community lifelines director David Wilson says.

“The restoration is progressing at pace with the water pipeline rebuilt and reconnected at all of the damaged sites.

“There are structural works still to complete before the valves can be opened so water can be piped again to the Waingake Treatment Plant. From there the treatment and cleaning phase of the water can begin again.

“We want to thank everyone who has worked long and hard to make this happen and know this positive progress will be welcomed by our community.”

Council Community Lifelines Drinking Water Team leader Judith Robertson says city residents, businesses and industries are doing a great job conserving water.

“Keep doing what you're doing. There is still a total ban on outdoor water use unless it is untreated water. And essential use only for indoor water use please.

“Production from the Waipaoa Treatment Plant is stable but is only just meeting demand each week. Some days the water used is more than the water produced so the extra water needed comes out of the city reservoirs.

“Reservoir levels are back to 86 percent full as of this morning.

“This is 2 percent less than at 8am yesterday morning.

“The Waipaoa plant has been operating well. There is still a combination of river and cleaner infiltration gallery intakes in use.”

Ms Robertson says reservoir levels need to be maintained at 75-80 percent to allow for contingency if there is a breakdown at the Waipaoa plant which affects production.

“At 80 percent full there are less than two days of water in storage given the amount of water everyone is currently using.

“Allocations continue for the high-water use industries that rely on treated water for production. When available, additional allocations are being made to share the available water.”