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Kapiti Water
Quality Reliable Sustainable
24 Hour Emergency Number: 0800 486 486
General Enquiries: (04) 296-4700 |
The purpose of the Borefield is to back up the river, when it is running low. This provides an even supply of water and frees the community from the punishing water restrictions suffered in the past.
The water supply is designed for household water use and fully complies with the new NZ Drinking Water Standards. With a commonsense approach by the community to sustainable water use, there is enough water available for maintaining your home and garden.
For the warmer summer months, water use will be handheld hoses anytime which enables you to:
- irrigate the garden
- water blast
- wash windows
- wash down the boat and car
Where will the water come from?
The central area is permitted 23 000 000 litres per day and Council can take water from either the river, the borefield or a combination of both to meet the community’s demand.
The first choice will always be the river. However, during extended dry periods, with the falling river level, the Borefield is there to supplement the river supply.
As an example, if it hasn’t rained for three weeks and the river flow is dropping. the demand for water may be around 18 000 000 litres per day but the consent allows only 16 000 000 litres per day from the river. The Council will draw 2 000 000 litres from the bores to make up the difference.
If the fine period continues and we can no longer take water from the river, all water will be taken from the bores.
Improving the taste of water
The summer conditions in 2005/2006 created several issues for public water supplies. With one of the driest winters on record and a hot summer, Wellington experienced region wide algal blooms. This created not only taste problems but exposed the community to algal toxins that have been fatal in overseas cases.
The Council has resolved the issue with a new powdered carbon treatment. The carbon removes most traces of organic material in the water and removes taste, odours and most importantly toxins.
This year the Council is confident the taste issue has been resolved.
Avoiding the build up of scale in your water system
The hardness of borewater causes lime-scale or calcium and magnesium carbonate to deposit on appliances, glassware and cutlery. Lime-scale can cause kettles and hot water cylinders to make popping and banging noises.
For glass and cutlery, you can prevent lime-scale forming by removing excess water with a dry cloth rather than allowing the glass or cutlery to drain dry.
If your kettle or glassware has a build up of scale or is making popping noises, white vinegar or lime-scale removers are effective at removing scale without damaging your appliances or glassware. They contain a mild acid that dissolves the scale build up.
Hot-water cylinders, as recommended by manufactures, should be checked or flushed once a year by a plumber. This will help prevent build up of lime-scale inside the hot water cylinder.
You can reduce scale build up by reducing the water temperature in your tank to 60 degrees. This will also save you money in heating costs. If you're putting in a new hot water system consider a tank-less one.
Click here for detailed advice on cleaning different appliances and click here for options for maintaining your hot water cylinders.