Tararua water upgrade finally gets green light

After meeting to discuss progress on water related issues in the Tararua District Council area, changes are finally under way to improve the quality of water supplies across the board.
"It's taken a lot of time to get the funding and to get everyone in line to do the work," strategy district development manager Peter Wimsett said.
In Pahiatua land access agreements have been signed to allow work to start on laying a new pipeline and connecting a new bore to the system - upgrades which will give residents higher quality water from a secure source.
While in Woodville action is being taken to remove odour, unpleasant taste, suspended solids and particles from water by introducing an Ultra Violet Sterilisation treatment system.
The construction of a new water storage facility which will be able to hold up to 130,000 cubic metres of water began in Dannevirke earlier this month.
The facility will allow greater control of water during high river flows and flooding when cloudy water causes problems.
Eketahuna has made an application to the Ministry of Health for capital funding to upgrade it's water supply from a low E water quality grade to a C grade.
"They have a very simple chlorinated mountain stream water system there which might seem to be pure, but you can't guarantee that all harmful bugs will be killed in the chlorination process," Mr Wimsett said.
The treatment plant in Norswood is also currently receiving upgrades.
"They are replacing all the gear and putting a softening system in to remove iron and manganese."
Tararua Mayor Roly Ellis said he was pleased to see improvements were under way.