Upgrades of the treatment plants are being completed through a collaborative model between Tararua District Council and FilTec water treatment specialists. The upgrades are funded through a Department of Internal Affairs Three Waters stimulus grant.

Construction of the Dannevirke plant upgrade started in June last year and was completed and handed over to Council operators in late 2021. Now that the plant is live, operational improvements are being made to further optimize treatment processes and improve the software systems which is used in the running of the plant. Once Dannevirke's reservoir is full again we will be able to see the end result of this upgrade.

Upgrades to the Woodville water treatment plant started last year in August and is now in its final stages. New pipes, tanks, and filters have been installed and are ready to be tested. This commissioning stage involves systematically checking that all the equipment works properly before it goes live. Handover to Council was initially planned around the beginning of 2022 but has been delayed due to COVID-19 and associated disruption to the supply of materials.

In November last year, the initial design for the Eketāhuna water treatment plant upgrade was amended to further improve the plant’s ability to manage turbid source water during rain events. These events have resulted in several precautionary boil water notices being issued over recent years. A significant increase in scope was required and the associated design, review and approval processes have delayed construction works beginning. Subsequent shortages of some materials have caused further delays and, whilst construction has now started, completion has been pushed out to mid this year.

The delays may cause frustration to Eketāhuna residents, however Council are committed to ensuring the upgrades to the treatment plant reduce the risk of further precautionary boil water notices being required following the upgrade.
According to Mayor Tracey Collis, “Since the Havelock North water contamination incident in 2016, there is an increasing focus on the application of NZ Drinking Water Standards. Improving our water treatment plants is a key priority for Council, to achieve these standards. The end result of these upgrades will be safer and more reliable water, with reduced risk of precautionary boil water notices as a result of weather events.”

The Dannevirke Water Treatment Plant

The Woodville Water Treatment Plant