Chlorination decision may be reviewed

The permanent chlorination of the Queenstown Lakes District Council water supply does not mean it will remain in place forever, according to Mayor Jim Boult.

The measure to chlorinate permanently was passed by the council at its meeting on Friday, following an extended public forum where eight different parties from across the district pleaded for the council to delay the decision while alternative options were researched.

However, Mr Boult wanted to assure the community that the decision would not be the be-all and end-all of the process.

``Permanent is a word that means forever. I don't think that's where we're coming from. We are continuing to chlorinate but it will not stop us from continuing to look at alternatives, and continually pursue alternatives,'' he said.

Council chief engineer Ulrich Glasner agreed.

``This is just a start. We have to definitely look into other options how we can treat water and how we can save water through our communities. We are looking out not only in New Zealand but worldwide to check what's on the market, how we can improve, and how we can get away from chlorination at some point,'' he said.

However, council chief executive Mike Theelan said there was not enough money currently provided in the long-term plan to explore alternative options.

The decision to chlorinate the district's water supply was part of the council's effort to comply with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards and the recommendations that resulted from the Havelock North inquiry.

Public health officer Susan Moore said at the meeting just one out of the 11 water supplies owned and operated by the council was compliant with the standards.

``Just because it's been like this for 30 years, doesn't mean it will continue to be.''

``In New Zealand and the Queenstown Lakes District there are a large number of untreated supplies. It is not really a matter of if someone will get sick, but more a question of when and how many,'' she said.

During the public forum, concerned residents put forward a strong case to the council outlining reasons against chlorination.

Sue Bradley, of Arthurs Point, brought forward a petition signed by more than 360 Arthurs Point residents in under a week asking the council to postpone the decision to permanently chlorinate.

``We all love our pristine alpine mineral water. We love its taste and we'd be very loath to lose that,'' she said.

Don Robertson, of the Hawea Community Association, and Danelle Jones, of Sustainable Glenorchy, proposed the council delay the decision and work with the communities to find alternative methods to provide safe drinking water.

Despite the decision to chlorinate passing, Cr Alexa Forbes said it would not be the end.

``I seriously hear our community. We cannot put this in place and say job done. That cannot happen,'' she said.

sean.nugent@odt.co.nz

 

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