Stakeholders Asked to Consider GNS Science Report on Waimarino Plains Water Issues

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is seeking feedback on an Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) report that reviews the options for future water supply in the Waimarino.

RDC engaged GNS Science to help understand the influence Mt Ruapehu has on potential water sources for Waimarino and Council’s current infrastructure assets to enable more informed decision making.

RDC Mayor Don Cameron said that the comprehensive report considers a multitude of factors that need to be taken into account in any future decision on Waimarino’s water supply including water sources, its quality and quantity, supply security and risk from volcanic and seismic activity and other associated risks.

“The diesel contamination of Raetihi’s water supply last year focused community attention on the wider questions and issues over a long term, economically viable solution to water supply for the wider Waimarino area,” he said.

“We also know from the Christchurch earthquakes that water supplies can be severely disrupted when seismic events change the hydrological profile of an area.”

“Council and water users need to consider all these risks and their potential to impact on infrastructure and potential future water sources.”

Mayor Cameron noted that making decisions on the future of Waimarino’s water supply is a complex issue that has to balance a wide range of issues both human and geological.

“We have flagged with Waimarino communities that water supply will be a critically important issue we need to consult on as part of our strategic infrastructure planning in the 2015-25 Long Term Plan (LTP) next year.”

“We would encourage the community to continue to engage with Council through our planning and consultation process as we identify and investigate the possible long term options for Waimarino water,” he said

“Because of the importance of water to Waimarino’s economic future Council wants to ensure all affected parties have all the available information for their consideration.”

“Council has distributed the report directly to a number of commercial organisations, sector groups and iwi however it is available on-line via a link on the homepage of Council’s website; www.ruapehudc.govt.nz”

“Council will also be organising community meetings in due course to discuss the report and its implications.”

“Whatever future decisions are made for Waimarino all users on the water supply network will need to contribute to its planning and development.”

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