Critical water concerns continue for parts of Clutha

Clutha District Council is continuing to deal with critical problems with its water infrastructure affected by the recent flooding in parts of the district.

There has been no water pumping to Kaka Point residents and farmers on the Richardson South rural water scheme since the water treatment plant was overwhelmed during the flooding.

There has been a catastrophic failure to the water treatment plant at Stirling and the Tapanui plant has also been affected by the weather event with both areas on boil and conserve water in place all week.

Chief Executive Steve Hill said staff have been working tirelessly since the heavy rain began on last Thursday (October 3) to get the key infrastructure repaired and up and running again.

“We have had an urgent conserve in place all week but in the case of Kaka Point and Richardson South we have concerns that their two-day supply will have been used and they will run out of water by the weekend.

"Our teams have been working around the clock but the damage caused by the flooding has been severe – we’re appealing to those affected to urgently conserve water and delay activities that use volumes of water like doing your washing,” Mr Hill said.

For those Kaka Point residents that find themselves out of water they can have a shower for free at the Balclutha Centennial Swimming Pool.

There is a water tanker parked near the Kaka Point fire station for residents to fill up clean containers of water.

Council is also keeping a close eye on the situation for the farmers on the Richardson South scheme and their stock water supplies.

Boil and conserve notices:

Given the extensive damage to the Stirling water treatment plan, residents in Stirling, Benhar and Cherry Lane townships and the South Bruce Rural Water Scheme may be on a long-term boil water notice.

The tanker is at the Stirling Hall for people to fill their clean containers. E.coli was detected in the Hislop Road sample point on Tuesday. No further samples have shown E.coli present.

Tapanui reservoirs are recovering, albeit slowly, and the boil water notice remains in place.

A drinking water tanker is available at Bushyhill Park for you to fill your own clean containers with drinking water.

For the Tapanui water treatment plant, heavy rain will influence the quality of water that can be produced. This was a significant weather event that affected the intake, along with the ability of the treatment plant to provide potable water.

We have also had reports of discoloured water at Tapanui and Lawrence which Council staff are working to resolve. We suggest that water filters are not changed until this problem is resolved.

Mr Hill said while the weather event had been overwhelming given there are 11 wastewater and 16 water schemes widely dispersed throughout the district made it even more challenging.

Protecting public health is a priority for the Clutha District Council and its Three Waters team, so we do use boil water notices when necessary.

Under a boil water notice people are cautioned that using water from their tap for consumption (including teeth cleaning and washing fruit and vegetables) should be boiled it for 1 minute before it is used.

Council is also advising anyone experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever to seek medical attention immediately, as these may be signs of waterborne illness.

For additional information and assistance, residents can contact Council on 0800 801 350 or visit www.cluthddc.govt.nz/weather-event

For water conservation advice visit www.cluthadc.govt.nz/water-conservation

You can read our FAQs at www.cluthadc.govt.nz/boil-water-faqs