Today, Thursday 17th, the Raglan Water Crisis is in its fourth day and Council staff are unable to say when normal service will be restored. We put a series of questions to Council on the crisis as their media releases lacked crucial information. The WDC interim answers are given below in red.
As normal service will not be resumed soon, it is still critical that water is conserved. The latest WDC updates follow then the answers to our questions.
11AM UPDATE: Please avoid the Bow Street and Norrie Ave intersection so the water tankers can easily move in the area.
Also you will notice a high level of Council staff in Raglan today. They are delivering a second boil water notice to everyone. This is because when the water treatment plant is back up and running; you will need to continue to boil the water for a minute before drinking while further tests are carried out to ensure water quality and safety.
As soon as the test results come back we will update you on when the treatment plant is likely to be back up and running.
Thanks for your support and patience.
9AM UPDATE: Good morning, Raglan reservoir levels are now at their lowest since Monday so it is critical that residents continue to conserve water today.
Tankers have been pumping water into the Bow Street reservoir throughout the night, and that will continue today. Despite this you’ll still have low water pressure and you will still need to boil water for drinking.
This will continue until the water treatment plant can be turned back on when water tests come back and show the all clear.
Thank you for your efforts so far to conserve water and we would appreciate your continued patience
Questions put to WDC:
Your updates contain no info on a permanent fix for the Raglan water crisis.
When does Council expect to have the Riki Springs supply operational again?
We will have more information once test results come back later this afternoon.
If the turbidity does not lower naturally what plans does Council have to install high capacity filtration at the plant? This is a matter that needs to be discussed by Council.
In regard to the trucked in water:
Where is it being sourced from?
Ngaruawahia.
Is it chlorinated?
Yes.
What is the cost per day in trucking it in?
We are unable to answer this question at this time.
We’ve been told of these leaks around town:
- Valve is leaking top of Moonlight Bay.
- Water bubbling out of roadway at intersection of Cambrae Rd and Bayview Rd.
Will Council be fixing the leaks in its network?
Yes, Council will be doing an assessment of the network once supply has been restored. Restoring the supply is Council’s number one priority at the moment.
What is the current position for the Greenslade Road leak?
Staff are working hard to repair this issue.
Did WDC ever build the ring main for Greenslade Rd that was approved by the councillors a five years ago? (If this work has been implemented then a cut in one place should not have stopped water being fed to properties.)
We will need to look into this and get back to you.
Oh dear. 3rd World conditions and 1st World rates
One major management weakness at WDC is that staff identify an essential project then they ask the councillors for the dollars. The councillors say YES. Then the management never gets round to do doing the project. The management report that they have saved money on the annual plan. Then there is an infrastructure crisis and they have to spend even more money on a quick fix.
Goodness, silly us for asking such tiresome questions. I apologise that our town is such a nuisance to WDC ( will be be fined again for the collapse of our infrastructure)?