Supply improves, but water conservation message remains

Overnight efforts to clear debris from the Haruru Water Treatment Plant intake have improved water production, but those connected to the Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi water supply are asked to continue conserving water over the weekend.

Overnight, while water demand was at its lowest, contractors increased backflushing of the Haruru water treatment plant intake, drained and cleared clarifying tanks and thoroughly cleaned clarifying screens. Clarifying tanks allow larger solids to settle out from the raw river water, while the screens remove finer impurities that remain suspended in the water. Contractors say these efforts have boosted production, but it is still below levels needed to refill water reservoirs and to meet daily consumption demands.

The council thanks households and businesses for their response to yesterday’s plea to conserve water. Contractors say there was a noticeable drop in water consumption and that provided greater leeway overnight to thoroughly clear equipment of built-up silt and debris. However, storage reservoirs still need to be topped up and the council is asking those connected to the Paihia-Ōpua-Waitangi water supply to continue conserving water over the weekend to help this occur.

There are plans to undertake further silt remediation work in coming days to improve the resilience of the plant’s water intake.