Water off in Raetihi for new line to be installed

Raetihi will be without water for up to six hours later this month.

Raetihi will be without water for up to six hours later this month while a new treated water line is installed between the reservoir and the township.

The new pipeline is part of upgrading and safeguarding the town's water supply. Water supply will be cut from midnight on Wednesday, November 15 through to 6am on Thursday, November 16.

Council's environmental manager Anne-Marie Westcott said that council was asking people to prepare for the water outage and take a few simple steps to help minimise any potential disruption.

"When the water is back on residents are advised to run an outside or cold laundry tap for a minute to clear any sediment that may have been stirred up in the pipe network," she said.

"People should also ensure that they have enough stored water to get them through this period.

"While the water is off there will be no tap water for drinking, washing, laundry or flushing the toilet.

"Although this is a well-planned, routine maintenance job, we would recommend that people treat it as if it is an emergency situation and have enough stored water on hand to last 24 hours in line with civil defence recommendations."

Ms Westcott added that when the water was turned back on a few people might also find their water looks milky from being filled with air bubbles.

"The air bubbles are created when the system is re-pressurised from air trapped in the water pipes.

"If you have milky looking water and leave a glass fill on the bench you will see the water clears as the air bubble dissolve over about a minute or so.

"The water is treated and is 100 per cent safe to drink.

"A self-serve water tanker will be parked in town near the 4 Square for anyone who needs it during the water outage period.

"If anyone has any special needs and is concerned about the water being off they are asked to give either council's Raetihi (385 4447) or Ohakune (385 8364) office a call to discuss their issue."

Ms Westcott added that people would soon start seeing work on Raetihi's new Water Treatment Plant getting under way in earnest.

"Contractors have started on the ground works for the foundations," she said.

Raetihi's new Water Treatment Plant has a target completion date of June 2018.