Water Supply

Finding ways to improve quality and availability of domestic water supply in the area.

TDC: Waimea Dam Funding resumed

Details: 17 September 2018; by MHRA

Following confidential negotiations TDC has now resumed planning for funding of the proposed Waimea Dam.

Meanwhile, a confidential report leading to the revised funding has been released by Council.

TDC: Waimea Community Dam Will Not Proceed

Details: 30 August 2018; by MHRA

The Tasman District Council has decided increased costs for the Waimea Community Dam are unaffordable for ratepayers, meaning the project in its current form will not proceed.

The Council today decided in principle not to fund 51% of a $23 million capital funding shortfall for the dam.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne said the decision effectively meant the project would not proceed, as public consultation cannot occur before the deadline of 15 December when the Government will withdraw its funding for the dam of over $55 million.

Click below to read more - including summer water restrictions will now come into effect.

Stuff: More Dam Funding Concerns

Details: 15 August 2018; by MHRA

Forwarded to us by a local resident:

Website stuff.co.nz is hosting this article about a local chartered accountant's concern with regards to total anticipated cost of the Waimea Dam, and how this financial burden would be distributed.

Click here to read the article: Waimea dam may cost $400m to pay back says accountant

Waimea Dam - Search for Funding continues

Details: 09 August 2018; by MHRA

Council is searching for a way to close the $26 million funding gap for the Waimea Dam by December.

Read the words by TDC CEO Janine Dowding and Mayor Richard Kempthorne outlining why the case for the dam is still compelling, and what happens if the dam does not proceed.

Click here for the TDC News Item

Water Supply Bylaw Review - What Happens When There Are More Water Restrictions?

Details: 24 July 2018; by MHRA

TDC is consulting on changes to the Public Water Supply Bylaw, which outlines how Tasman District’s reticulated water supplies are managed and protected.

One of the main proposed changes in the updated bylaw has the potential to affect everyone on a public water supply – this would include the Dovedale Water Scheme - including a new framework for imposing water restrictions during times or drought or emergency water shortage.

See here for Consultation Drop-In Sessions at the Richmond Mall - find out more and have your say!

See here for more information on the proposed Draft Public Water Supply Bylaw 2018.

And find here a direct link to the Consultation Document. This explains the various proposed levels of restrictions for residential as well as industrial and commercial users.

News around Waimea Dam and Water Supplies

Details: 06 July 2018; by MHRA

A collection of council news items around the Waimea Dam and Water Supply issues:

Council Pursues Local Bill for Dam Land

The Tasman District Council has today announced it will lodge a Local Bill with Parliament to secure access to Department of Conservation land needed for the Waimea Community Dam. See news item here.

This is the formal notification showing how council is planning to obtain the needed land. See the draft of the notification document here.

Council says Early Dam Pricing Indications Pose Challenges

Initial pricing indicates the dam might become more expensive that thought. See news item here.

The mayor states: "If the final price is confirmed to be significantly over the estimated cost and no viable option can be found to meet the difference, then the dam is unlikely to go ahead."

Draft Public Water Supply Bylaw - Have Your Say

Coming up: The Tasman District Council seeks your view on an amended Public Water Supply Bylaw.

Check the council website from Monday 9th for more details.

TDC Dovedale Scheme Survey In Progress

Details: 05 May 2018; by MHRA

TDC is currently performing a survey of all water connections on the Dovedale Rural Water Scheme.

The survey aims to collect data on types of water use and total numbers of residents connected to the scheme. Obtaining this data is essential for making decisions on the future development of the scheme.

If you are connected to the Dovedale Water Scheme then PLEASE complete the survey.

All users of the scheme should by now have received an email notification to complete the survey online, and a written survey form as well which can be used to send the answers in by mail.

Council has so far received response from only 42% of users which is not near enough data for planning. So if you are on the scheme - whether with a rental or your own property - and have not yet completed the survey, please do it now.

If you know somebody who is connected to the scheme but has not yet heard of the survey, please let them know they can contact council to get signed up by email - or go directly to the survey website to complete it online.

A Critical View of the Waimea Dam

Details: 12 March 2018; by MHRA

Water Information Network (WIN), a group who was also present at our recent consultation meeting, has created a website with collected information critical of the proposed dam project.

We forward a link to this website as a means to propagate differing views and opinions, and would like to emphasise that the contents of the site is the responsibility of the respective authors.

Waimea Information Network Inc is an incorporated society, formed with the goal to "provide accurate information regarding the Waimea catchment water".

Click here to go to www.waimeawaterinfo.net

Dovedale Scheme Public Meeting 22 Feb 2018

Details: 23 February 2018; by James/MHRA

There was a large and active turnout at the public meeting on 22 February 2018 at the Moutere Hills Community Centre. This meeting was organised by Tasman District Council to discuss the situation of the Dovedale Rural Water Scheme.

Present were councillors Tim King and Dean McNamara, council staff for Water Engineering, and representatives for Civil Defence/Recovery.

An update was given on the current damage to the scheme and future upgrade options.

The Future of the Dovedale Water Scheme

Details: 12 February 2018; by MHRA

TDC will hold a community meeting to discuss the future of the Dovedale Rural Water Scheme on 22 February.

All users of the water scheme will be invited directly by Council.

"The purpose of this community meeting is to provide early notice of the rural water treatment plant upgrade provisions in the Long Term Plan 2018-2028 (LTP) and to provide information on a range of possible upgrade options, cost estimates and the impact on water charges. [...] "

"The proposed 2018-2028 LTP includes funding for the Dovedale Valley scheme to be upgraded to the New Zealand Drinking Water Standard (NZDWS), which is a minimum requirement of the recommendations from the Havelock North Stage 2 Enquiry." (from the meeting description)

If you are on the Dovedale scheme, but have not yet received an email invitation yourself, contact us and we will help you to get your email address added to the list of Dovedale scheme users.

Given the history of and ongoing issues with the water scheme, this could well prove a very important meeting, so all users of the scheme should be sure to attend.

The Cost of Fixing a Water Reservoir

Details: 11 January 2018; by MHRA

The Silcocks Reservoir which forms part of the Dovedale Rural Water Scheme was recently upgraded for a cost of $75,000.

Some association members and local residents have questioned how such a large sum can be required for work which is essentially the replacement of a large concrete water tank with four plastic water tanks.

Following up on these member requests we have inquired with TDC Utilities Manager Mike Schruer for more details on how this significant cost amount has arisen.

Read here what the $75,000 were spent on and some comments by Mike.

Moutere Hills Residents Association