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Kapiti Water
Quality Reliable Sustainable
24 Hour Emergency Number: 0800 486 486
General Enquiries: (04) 296-4700 |
Water in Hautere/Te Horo
The Hautere/Te Horo community has a restricted water supply, from two shallow bores alongside the Otaki River, set up for dairy farming in 1981. Subdivision of the land into lifestyle blocks has resulted in high demand and the supply becoming over subscribed.
The water is supplied in "units", originally allocated on the basis of farm area. A unit is approximately 1,000 litres of water delivered through a restrictor over a 24 hour period. Consumers install their own tank and pump to provide an 'on-demand' supply.
New UV technology was installed early in 2007 to improve the water disinfection process. The treatment passes UV light through the water, which breaks down the genetic information of the microbes, preventing them from functioning and reproducing. This method of disinfection provides outstanding protection against microbes that have developed resistance to other treatments and will ensure the water supply meets new legislative requirements with minimal costs to the community.
Shut downs in Hautere/Te Horo
None at present
The Water Treatment Process
1. pH Correction
The water supply has a low pH which can lead to corrosion of the metal in the pipes and reservoirs. Soda ash (Sodium carbonate) is added to condition the pH and before being pumped up to reservoirs for gravity distribution.
2. Disinfection
Chlorine is also added to the water to disinfect it and prevent contamination in the pipes and reservoirs during distribution. New UV technology was installed early in 2007 in oder to comply with the stringent disinfection requirements introduced in the latest NZ Drinking Standards 2005 (NZDWS).
Water Quality
The water is constantly monitored to ensure it meets the compliance limits set out in the 2005 New Zealand Drinking Water Standards (NZDWS) at all times. To find out what's in your water click here for a copy of the 2005 Water Quality Report.
Grading
The Ministry of Health publishes a yearly grade for each public water supply in New Zealand. The grade reflects how well the plant complies with the NZDWS and consists of two parts.
The first part gives an indication of how well the water source and treatment process comply by assigning a grade between A1 and E. The second part evaluates the distribution system, which delivers the water from treatment plant to homes and businesses, and assigns a grade between A and E.
Our current gradings (1995) are:
The Te Horo water treatment plant and source: C
Distribution System: A
Note: All water treatment plants in the district are currently under assessment by drinking water assessors of the Ministry of Health as defined under the NZ drinking water standards 2005 which became effective on January 2006.
Taste
Changes in the taste of the water are often caused by issues in the household. If you are concerned about the taste of your water, click here to find out about some of the common causes for changes in the taste of your water before contacting the council.
Water use and conservation
Check out the Green Gardener and Green Plumber pages for ideas on how you can create the lifestlye you want with the water available.
