Te Awamutu's new water treatment plant blessed

Dawn blessing of the Parallel Road water treatment plant before testing begins for new water supply system for Te Awamutu. Photo / Dean Taylor

On Tuesday morning, a blessing of the waters took place for Te Awamutu's new water supply project, which will future-proof Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Ōhaupō's water supply for years to come.

The whaikōrero (formal speeches) took place on location at two facilities in the new supply line, the upgraded Parallel Rd water treatment plant near Cambridge, and the Te Rua Kotāre (Taylors Hill) Reservoir in Te Awamutu.

Ngāti Koroki Kahukura representatives, Taiapa Kara, Poto Davies and Rangipuhi King, Ngāti Apakura representatives Professor Tom Roa, Hazel Wander and Barney Manaia, and Ngā Iwi Topu o Waipā representative Gaylene Roberts attended the dawn ceremony, along with Waipā District Mayor Jim Mylchreest, Waipā iwi relations adviser Shane Te Ruki, staff and contractors who worked on the project.

Waipā District Mayor Jim Mylchreest (right) and Taiapa Kara (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura) turn on the pumps to send Waikato River water to Te Awamutu. Photo / Dean Taylor

The whaikōrero speakers were Tom, Shane and Jim, who acknowledged the precious gift of water from one body of water and local iwi to another – "He matahīapo te ora; he matahīapo te wai (life is infinity precious; water is basis of life)."

The gifting of water from the Waikato River Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Waikato-Tainui was received by Ngāti Apakura for Waipā iwi.

The water will journey from the Waikato River into the Waipā district's water supply, where it will reconnect at Ngaruawahia via the Waipā River catchment.

Jim said the karakia marked a significant step in the project.

The Parallel Rd water treatment plant reservoir, which feeds the pumps and new pipeline to Te Awamutu. Photo / Dean Taylor

"It is fantastic to see this facility completed and today marks a tremendous occasion in our district's history, as we work to safeguard our water supply for generations to come.

"I appreciate the support from iwi to gift this precious resource to Waipā, which will ensure we have a safe, resilient and reliable water supply that will nourish our communities into the future."

Council began building the new supply pipeline in October 2019, which had significant delays, including a month-long shutdown due to the nationwide level 4 Covid-19 pandemic response, and restrictive measures at level 3.

The water treatment plant upgrade began in June 2020 and is ahead of its end-of-October 2021 completion date.

Iwi and visitors were taken on a tour of the new treatment plant. Photo / Dean Taylor

Jim said the improved water supply is expected to reduce the need for higher water alerts in the Waipā, but with increasingly dry summers, some water alerts may still be expected.

"While this project should limit the number of water restrictions it is still important to conserve this precious resource, particularly over the summer months," Jim said.

Karakia at Te Awamutu's Te Rua Kotāre (Taylors Hill) Reservoir where Waikato River water was arriving for the first time as the systems were tested. Photo / Dean Taylor

Following the karakia, water can now begin to enter the new water treatment plant and pipeline so staff can begin the final steps to commission the plant for full operation.