Dirty water affected the Tapanui supply last weekend and the
Clutha District Council says there is no guarantee the
problem will not occur again.
Council district asset manager Jules Witt said the dirty
water was caused by a low reservoir which led to sediment
being sucked into the reticulation after a period of high
demand in township of 800 residents.
Mr Witt said Fulton Hogan increased the water treatment
plant's production rate to try to keep up with the demand,
but the level continued to drop, setting off an alarm.
"While the council has a fairly comprehensive alarm
monitoring system, the answering service did not pass on the
message to Fulton Hogan."
Mr Witt said the council had already approved a $750,000
upgrade of water treatment plant, including an additional
reservoir.
However, because the upgrade was to be implemented during the
next two years, he could not guarantee the situation would
not reoccur before then.
"We thought we had Tapanui sorted, and the treatment plant
has been working really well.
"It's just a shame some of the stuff at the bottom got sucked
through."
The council will be reviewing the incident with Fulton Hogan
and will report back through the West Otago Community Board
as to how it will minimise the likelihood of similar events
occurring in future.
Mr Witt said it was likely there could still be some sediment
in parts of the Tapanui pipe work.
Any further instances of dirty water should be reported to
the council, on 0800 801 350.
- Rachel Taylor
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