Raetihi Raw Ater Line Repairs Now Complete

The raw water line from the Makara Stream supplying Raetihi is now fully operational following repairs on Wednesday and Friday last week.

Ruapehu District Council Environmental Manager, Anne Maire Westcott, said that the raw water line was coming toward the end of its useful life and as such there was potential for these types of issues to occur.

“The breaks to the line allowed air into the system which made the water from resident’s taps appear murky,” she said.

“The murkiness of the water was never a health issue as it is only air.”

“Leaving the water to stand will see the murkiness clear in due course.”

Ms Westcott noted that residents may now notice some turbidity in their water. “Flushing of the lines following the repairs used up the reservoir meaning new water coming in has not been able to settle for the normal period.”

“As we catch up with treated water production any turbidity will dissipate,” she said.

Ms Westcott added that as an added precaution at this time council has enacted additional monitoring of the network water quality. “Initial test results indicate that there are no problems with the water quality.”

“Council has however received some calls concerning the taste and odour of the water,” she said.

“These relate to the Makara being a smaller water source and the time of year.”

“Raetihi residents can be assured that their reticulated water is safe to drink.”

Ms Westcott said that council apologises for any concerns felt by residents with these current issues.

“We appreciate that with the diesel contamination last year Raetihi residents have had enough of any issues relating to their water supply.”

“Unfortunately with a reticulated network of the age of Raetihi’s incidents such as this are always possible,” she said.

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