23 September 2019

South Wairarapa District Council formally approved permanent chlorination of Martinborough’s water supply at a full Council meeting on 18 September. This decision follows two boil water notices issued in February and April this year, and the Council decision on 26 June to temporarily chlorinate the water.

Chief Executive Harry Wilson led community engagement before the decision was made by Council. Mr Wilson met with a number of community groups, individuals and businesses.

Mr Wilson says, “We invited people to give feedback, or any information we should consider, relating to the Council’s proposal to permanently chlorinate. The feedback we received was to act quickly to provide a safe and secure drinking water supply.

“Council has come to the conclusion that chlorination is the only option to ensure safe, secure, clean and clear water for the town for the long-term.

“Chlorination of the town’s water supply is essential to provide a robust multi-barrier treatment process and to protect against contamination,” says Mr Wilson.

Plans are moving along to install a manganese removal plant later this year, to restore water supply from all bores. Currently the town water is being drawn from a single bore, which contains the lowest level of manganese. Manganese removal will address the water discolouration issue caused by chlorination. It also means that water filters will no longer get blocked with manganese as they do now.

Further information will be released to the community regarding the water conservation measures that may be required during summer prior to manganese removal plant being operational.

More information available at swdc.testserver.co.nz/martinborough-water-supply

ENDS

Media contact

Amy Wharram

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