Marlborough District Council Media Statement

Pinning down one source of water waste

Twelve months since the last survey, a handful of new water leaks have been located in the water supply networks of three Marlborough townships.

The recent inspection of the network in Havelock by contractors using specialist equipment revealed 13 leaks, losing an estimated 20 litres of water per minute.

“Eleven of them were on private property but two were in the Council pipes, one losing an estimated eight litres a minute. That is being dug up now and repaired with the work due to be finished this week,” said Council’s Operations and Maintenance Engineer Stephen Rooney.

In Renwick, seven leaks were found, mostly on private property, although half the nine litres a minute being lost there was coming from a couple of breaks in Council pipes.

In Seddon three minor leaks were found; two on private property and one on a service line in the road berm.

Council has rung all affected property owners.

Mr Rooney says Council is carrying the cost of trying to locate the leaks but the actual repairs are an individual responsibility.

“The leak detection contractor will be available to try and find the leak within the property but, once found, it’s up to each property owner to arrange to have their leak fixed.”

People could expect that follow-up contact by the contractor early in the new year; a little later than initially advised, he said.

“The water loss is not as big as it was when we last did this detection work a year ago but, with aging pipes, weaknesses are always going to occur. We’ll keep patching it up until it’s no longer economic to do so,” said Mr Rooney.

“In the meantime, even though it’s not yet quite as dry as it was at the same time last year, we’re still asking everyone everywhere to be aware of their water use and think about water conservation. Everything helps, even something as simple as making extra sure you are turning taps off properly.”

ENDS.

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