Brightwater and Wakefield - Further water conservation urged while Wakefield Treatment Plant issues remedied

 

Wakefield Tasman.

Further water conservation urged while Wakefield Treatment Plant issues remedied

10 January, 2024 

Tasman District Council is asking residents in Brightwater and Wakefield to conserve water as much as possible while two issues relating to the Wakefield water supply are resolved. 

Coinciding with heavy rain in the area, staff and contractors responded to an increase of turbidity (muddy water) in the raw water coming from Wakefield well on the evening of 5 January, causing the Wakefield Water Treatment Plant to shut down and cease supply. 

The Wakefield water supply sources water that has been filtered through gravels from the Wai-iti River, entering two infiltration galleries into the well. 

A further issue emerged on Monday 8 January with water in the Wakefield Infiltration Gallery found to  contain an as-yet unknown blue/white substance. 

The Wakefield WTP has been shut off while the investigation into the possible reason for the colouring continues. 

The council has notified Taumata Arowai and the Public Health Service and will continue to liaise with these organisations as required. 

In the meantime, the Wakefield community is being supplied treated water from the Brightwater supply. 

Tasman District Council Waters and Wastes Manager Mike Schruer said efforts to implement potential back-up supplies were underway, including the use of a previously abandoned bore. 

Phase D water restrictions are already in place for council-managed reticulated water supplies in Wakefield and the Waimea Plains, which includes Richmond, Brightwater, Hope,  Redwood Valley, Eighty-Eight Valley, Dovedale and Māpua/ Ruby Bay. 

Mike asked water users, in Brightwater and Wakefield in particular, to continue with their water saving measures to help reduce demand while we look to remedy the situation. 

“This is not a drought-related issue, but rather a localised supply issue - providing the necessary water supply is crucial but we cannot use the Wakefield Water Treatment Plant until we know what the reason for the colouring is,” Mike said. 

“Even then we are still dealing with capacity issues for Wakefield until we get a back up supply up and running. In order to meet the current demand, water is already being supplemented by the Brightwater scheme and the Hope part of the scheme is be supplied by the Richmond scheme.” 

“Over and above the Phase D restrictions in place, we need to be conserving water in every way we can – whether its limited showering, even general domestic use – any water use needs to be considered.” 

The restrictions for Wakefield water supply are in place not because of flows in the river (which are above triggers) but because the current infiltration gallery from which water is taken for the treatment plant, near the river upstream of the Wakefield-Pigeon Valley Bridge, has deteriorated and is not physically able to conduct water at sufficient capacity. 

A major upgrade for water supply on the Waimea Plains is due to start within the next year to rationalise the three water schemes supplying water to Brightwater, Wakefield and Eighty-Eight Valley.  

Tasman Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.