​Moa Flat Rural Water Scheme

Boil water update

Consumers in Heriot and on the Moa Flat Rural Water Scheme are reminded that a boil water notice is in place. Separately, an aluminium advisory is also in place for the Moa Flat Rural Water Scheme.

New drinking water standards were introduced in November 2022. Unfortunately processes at the Moa Flat Water Treatment Plant, which was designed prior to this, do not treat the water to meet these standards for protozoal and bacterial measures.

The water source is from Timber Creek, approximately 17km upstream of the plant. The water goes into a large pond which has about two months storage capacity. The colour, natural organics and low levels of silt in this water make it difficult to treat. It needs to comply consistently with requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.

Council has been working with an independent water engineer to improve processes at the plant.

We have worked through a number of their options for improvement, but they have not been sufficient to lift the boil water notice.

On December 9 Council began an Organic Carbon Filtration trial at the plant and we hope this will be a successful solution to lift the boil water notice.

However, this trial will need to run for three months before we are confident of long-term success. If this does not work we will work with the Rural Water Scheme Committee on further options.

Council advises anyone using water from their tap for consumption (including teeth cleaning and food preparation such as washing fruit and vegetables) should boil it for 1 minute before it is used.

You can bring your own clean containers to fill at the water tank available at the Heriot School grounds.

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

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