A temporary ultraviolet treatment plant is to be installed beside Havelock’s water treatment plant, which will allow the town’s boil water notice to be lifted.
Residents will be able to safely drink tap water by mid-September, if all goes to plan.
The Marlborough District Council announced its decision on Friday afternoon, its engineers having spent the week discussing potential solutions.
The boil water notice was issued by the council on July 16, at the request of national water regulator Taumata Arowai, which had issued updated guidance on water treatment requirements over the risk of protozoa, which could make people sick.
The council said at the time that the notice was likely to last until a new $14 million permanent treatment plant was completed in 2028.
Due to rule changes, the settlement at the head of Pelorus Sound has been told tap water is off limits. (Source: 1News)
Residents and business owners had expressed shock and concern that they would have to look into paying for their own UV treatment systems to avoid boiling their water for three years.
But a few days later, the council said it was looking into potential temporary solutions.
On Friday, Mayor Nadine Taylor said the announcement that a temporary ultraviolet (UV) plant would be installed was great news.
“I’m very pleased to say that we now have a solution that means we’ll be able to lift the boil water advisory in two months’ time, rather than in three years’ time,” Taylor said.
“It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the people of Havelock, particularly for food, hospitality and accommodation businesses.
“They have my sympathy, and I thank them for their patience and understanding while we worked through this.”
Taylor also acknowledged the work of council staff in finding a solution.
“I’d like to acknowledge council’s infrastructure and services engineers for their focus on finding a temporary solution to see us through until the new water treatment plant is built.”
Infrastructure and services manager Richard Coningham said he aimed to have the UV treatment system installed within the next eight weeks, assuming the weather was fine and there were no other issues.
“It requires earthworks to build a platform to support a large container housing the UV equipment, which will sit next to our existing chlorine treatment plant,” Coningham said.
We also have to upgrade the power supply and Marlborough Lines has confirmed it has the equipment in stock and should be able to work within our time frame.
“If all goes well, we’ll be able to lift the boil water advisory by mid-September.”
Coningham said the temporary plant was expected to cost about $750,000, some of which would be recoverable by reusing some of the equipment when the permanent treatment plant was completed in 2028.
The funds would be taken from the $14m set aside for the permanent plant in the council’s Long Term Plan.
Coningham said the council would be completing a new Water Safety Plan, at the request of Taumata Arowai, to show how they were managing risk with the temporary treatment plant.
The Water Safety Plan was expected to be completed by installation in eight weeks.
“In the meantime people should continue to boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing food,” Coningham said.
More information can be found on the council website.
By Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.