4.05pm Saturday 16 February (edited 4.45pm, map added)
Martinborough’s water network flush could not be completed last night due to some issues with valving in the network and not being able to maintain the pressure required to keep supply going into all properties during the process.
Three of the five zones of the town network were flushed successfully, leaving another two still to be done (stages 2 and 3 on the map). The team today has been checking and readying all the valves in the final two zones and resolving a problem at the pump that was causing the low water pressure.
The plan now is to flush the final two zones of the network overnight on Sunday, starting at approximately 7pm and finishing at 5am. If residents within these zones need to take any further action they will be informed by door knock or a letterbox leave behind, based on the instructions originally given for last night, i.e. to run a tap for at least 15 minutes in the morning or until the water clears (you can use an outside tap to water your garden).
Just in case there is a loss of water pressure or supply during the flushing again, residents in these areas are being advised to collect and store water for use during this time. The work is being done at night to minimise any potential inconvenience to residents.
SWDC Infrastructure and Services Group Manager Mark Allingham says Council is treating this matter with the utmost urgency.
“It is noted that should other issues arise, this second flushing may be delayed; however we will endeavour to do all that is required to have the boil water notice lifted. Staff have worked through the night to overcome some difficulties to achieve the first three zones and are making every effort to complete the flushing as soon as practicable.”
On a positive note, water samples were taken for the areas flushed last night and these results will be available on Monday. Providing this second flushing is successful, we do not anticipate too much delay in getting the boil water notice lifted.
The boil water notice can be lifted by Council and Regional Public Health following confirmation of successful flushing followed by three clear consecutive days of testing on water samples taken from various sites around the network.
Please remember the boil water notice remains in place until notified. Apologies again for the inconvenience caused, particularly to those who lost water supply last night.
Further information, including past updates, FAQs and educational resources are available on our website at swdc.govt.nz. If you have any urgent queries over this weekend, please call 06 306 9611.
If you have any non-urgent feedback for Council regarding this event, please email martinboroughwater@swdc.govt.nz
Next update will be 12 noon Monday 18 February, or earlier if required.
ENDS
Media contact
Amy Wharram
027 252 2863
