Mamaku water supply expected to return as bore issue fixed

Mamaku residents conserving water as council works to fix bore. Photo / Laura Smith

Rural Mamaku’s taps should be flowing again soon as the fault at the town’s bore has been fixed.

The failure of an electrical component that makes the main bore pump run, to supply drinking water to Mamaku, prompted a warning from the Rotorua Lakes Council to conserve water on Sunday evening.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said they could not get half a glass of water from their taps. She first noticed the problem at about 10am on Sunday.

The council’s infrastructure networks performance manager Eric Cawte said there had been several calls from residents with low water pressure and a water tanker was located at Karamu St for safe drinking water to be collected. The water tanker will be removed at 5pm today.

“Residents have done a great job at conserving water, reducing the risk of emptying the reservoir.”

There was water being supplied to the reservoir but at a reduced rate as the secondary pump that had been working since the issue with the main pump occurred could not pump as fast as the main pump.

One resident notified the council on Sunday of having no water, before the second pump was running.

“Once the secondary bore was working, two tanker loads of water were dropped into the reservoirs to maintain the system for all residents which continued through the night.”

One person reported having no water today, and the water tanker was arranged.

He said council staff will follow up with the people who reported no water to ensure the service was restored.

The fault was fixed at about 3pm and the reservoir was filling again.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by this loss of service and will be thoroughly investigating what can be done to improve our operating and backup systems to minimise the impact from unforeseen breakdowns which, in a complex supply system do occur from time to time.”

He said it was grateful for community contacts in helping to update locals and urged anyone experiencing a complete water outage to get in touch.

“While we endeavour to provide safe and reliable water services to our communities on a 24/7 basis, this is also a timely reminder for all households and businesses to be prepared for temporary loss of any critical services whether they result from mechanical breakdown or natural disasters.”

Information can be found on Civil Defence website.

The Mamaku Residents Association had been liaising with the council to pass on updates to the community.

A member, who had been in contact with the council about the fault, said the council had been “very good” in their communications.

“We were sent a message yesterday and asked to let as many residents as we could that there was a problem and to please conserve water.”

The average daily water usage, which was variable, in Mamaku was 380,000 litres, according to the council.

Rotorua Lakes Council tips to conserve water:

· Have a short shower rather than a bath

· Don’t leave taps running

· Leave the laundry for another day

· Minimise toilet flushing – if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down

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