Patearoa and Ranfurly Water Treatment Upgrades
Upgrading Patearoa and Ranfurly Water Treatment: Ensuring Safe and Clean Drinking Water for Our Communities
Ensuring clean and safe drinking water is a top priority for our communities. However, the current water treatment systems at Patearoa and Ranfurly do not meet the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards for protozoa treatment. As a result, our communities are sometimes subjected to boil water notices when conditions prevent the water from being adequately treated.
The Challenge: High Turbidity and Water Safety
Both Patearoa and Ranfurly draw their water from sources that are prone to high turbidity—meaning the water can become "dirty" and murky, especially after rainfall. During these times, the water treatment process struggles to meet the required standards, particularly when it comes to treating for protozoa and bacteria. As a result, boil water notices have been issued to protect public health.
To resolve this ongoing issue and improve the safety and reliability of our drinking water, significant upgrades are being made to the water treatment facilities in both towns.
The Solution: Protozoa Barriers with Ultra Violet (UV) Treatment
After thorough investigation and planning, it has been decided to install new protozoa barriers at both the Ranfurly and Patearoa water treatment plants. These barriers will be in the form of Ultra Violet (UV) treatment systems, which are highly effective in neutralising harmful pathogens and ensuring the water meets the required safety standards.
UV treatment works by using ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms, such as protozoa, without the use of chemicals. This makes UV a sustainable and efficient solution, particularly when paired with other water treatment processes. By installing UV treatment systems, both the Ranfurly and Patearoa plants will be able to consistently deliver safe, clean drinking water to residents.
During a time of high turbidity (rainfall) events, an additional layer of filtration can be introduced along with UV to remove sediments from the water which makes sure water is safe to drink and compliant with the standards.
Collaborating for the Best Outcome
The Council’s Water Team has partnered with Fulton Hogan's design team to plan and implement these vital upgrades. Together, they are developing the affordable solution for our community's needs, ensuring that both treatment plants will be able to meet the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. The design and planning process is well underway, with the next steps being to finalise the concept design. Once this is complete, a report will be submitted to the Council for approval, outlining the design and construction.
What’s Next?
Work on the Patearoa and Ranfurly water treatment upgrades is expected to commence mid-2025. While the design process moves forward, the community can rest assured that these upgrades will significantly improve the reliability of drinking water quality in both towns, reducing the risk of boil water notices and ensuring a safer future for residents.
The upgrades to the water treatment plants are part of a broader commitment to providing clean, safe drinking water across the region, and we will continue to keep the community informed every step of the way.
Stay tuned for further updates as we work to improve the quality of your water!
