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Kapiti Water
Sustainable Quality Reliable
24 Hour Emergency Number: 0800 486 486
General Enquiries: (04) 296-4700
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Water in Otaki
The community at Otaki has three water sources; two groundwater sources serving Otaki beach and town, and one surface source on the Waitohu Stream, which is currently not being used. The groundwater is disinfected and pH corrected to ensure clean safe water is abailable for distribution to Otaki and the surrounding area.
New UV technology is being installed in 2007 to disinfect the water. 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.
Current Water Use Level for Otaki
Evening sprinkler use
Shut downs in Otaki
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 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 is being installed in 2007 in oder to comply with the stringent disinfection requirements introduced on 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 A 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 Otaki water treatment plant and source: D
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 ssome of the common causes for changes in the taste of your water before contacting the council.
Water use and conservation
Otaki has some of the highest water use in the district although there are concerns over the accuracy of the data. The Council will be investigating the water use figures over 2007 to obtain more accurate information.
Check out the Green Gardener and Green Plumber pages for ideas on how you can create the lifestlye you want with the water available.
