9 May 2020 – Update re discoloured water

Yesterday we carried out a planned shutdown of the water mains as part of our Manganese Reduction Plant project (more information in the earlier update below).

Sometimes when the mains is shut down air gets into the pipes, which causes oxidation and discolouration of the water. If this has happened at your place, please run your taps for 15-20 minutes until the water runs clear – an outside tap is best.

If your property is currently empty, it would be a good idea to run your taps anyway for the first time on your return, following the instructions above if you have discoloured water to clear from the pipes.

Sorry for the inconvenience

7 May 2020 – Community update

Martinborough’s Manganese Reduction Plant (MRP) project continues to track nicely. Pressure testing and pipe disinfecting have been completed and the water tanks have been delivered to site (see photo).

On Thursday (today), contractors will be testing the mains valves to ensure they turn on and off as they should, ahead of needing to shut them off on Friday (tomorrow) to connect up the MRP.

This work should not impact water supply to the town, except to a small number of neighbouring properties for one hour and four hours on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Affectedresidents have been notified and supplied with an alternative water supply to use during the shutdowns.

While the water main is turned off, Wellington Water will be taking the opportunity to install two additional fire hydrants outside Peppers and Nga Waka winery, to remove a backflow/contamination risk and boost firefighting capability.

Once operational, the MRP will improve the quality of Martinborough’s water by removing excess manganese and iron. It will also enable the water to be chlorinated and supplied from all of the town’s bores, not just the bore with the lowest level of manganeseas is currently the case.

The MRP is expected to be operational by spring 2020.