Cromwell's community board has approved $660,000 of
improvements to the town's water supplies and associated
infrastructure.
It will result in drinking water free of manganese, separate
irrigation for Anderson Park and Cromwell College, and the
upgrade of a Lowburn pump station.
Central Otago District Council utility services manager Peter
Greenwood sought and received funding for three projects at
the board's meeting in Cromwell yesterday.
Mr Greenwood said an original estimate of $100,000 to drill a
new bore for the town's drinking water had doubled.
It would now cost $200,000 for a bore to replace an existing
one which had high levels of manganese.
Last August, the board resolved to spend $100,000 on a new
bore, instead of altering its existing filtration plant.
Mr Greenwood said since then a test bore had been drilled
which identified an appropriate site, although it was 300m
from the existing treatment plant.
"We've got to have some rather large 300mm pipes leading to
the plant, and the bore is rather large as well, so all up
it's a large project.
"That's the main reason for it being double the cost."
Mr Greenwood said water from the new bore - which could be
available in April - had a lower hardness level and no
manganese.
The old bore could be used for irrigation.
The board could again consider altering the filtration plant
instead of approving the new bore, but that was a risky
option, Mr Greenwood said.
"We've got concerns that the estimate done may well be out
for that option as well.
"However, when you put down a bore things can change over
time . . . it's never an exact science.
"I would like to guarantee that it was a silver bullet but
there are some risks," he said.
Board chairman Neil Gillespie said either option had
potential risks for water quality, and the board was already
committed to establishing a replacement bore.
Mr Greenwood also sought $315,000 to upgrade the Lowburn hall
pump station to a level which would allow the Lowburn bridge
pump station to be decommissioned.
Last year, the board allocated $126,000 to upgrade the
Lowburn bridge pump station.
It was in poor condition due to inadequate sealing of an
electrical duct which had allowed hydrogen sulphide to attack
its metallic components.
