Water Matters - a message from the Chief Executive

As a Council, we are dedicated to providing a high quality drinking water service that is kind to the environment. To ensure this, a key part of our strategy is to reduce water loss from the drinking water network and improve good management and use.

So how can this be done?

You may have read our recent Council Noticeboard in the Waimate Trader, stating Council will be installing up to 1,400 new water meters throughout the Waimate urban area in the coming months. These water meters will be read to better understand how our water is being used or lost, so we can better plan where our resources should best be placed to manage growth. The water metering project is fully funded by Central Government and will not impact your rates.

Reducing water loss (leaks) and better managing overall water demand helps delay expensive upgrades and protects our precious environment, and more importantly, a very precious resource. The extent of unaccounted water (total water loss) in the system is unknown in any meaningful detail as it is difficult to assess due to the absence of domestic water meters. We have coverage of our pump stations and reservoirs through our electronic telemetry system to enable real-time monitoring; and a broad assessment of leakage through assessing a volume balance leakage, however losses internally within households is significant and it is time to address this issue.

The Waimate District is growing and demand on our water supply is placing a strain on our natural environment, so before we spend time and money meeting this growing demand, we need to make more efficient use of our existing water resources. Our in-ground pipe renewal programme that is highlighted in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan is an important part of this work, but it is only part of the solution. Understanding other water losses such as private property connections will greatly assist Council understand and manage those losses.

Over the coming months, we will be installing up to 1,400 new water meters throughout select urban areas within the district to help us achieve these objectives. These new water meters will have improved backflow prevention (anti-siphoning), to protect water quality in the mains network. The water meters will be read to better understand how our water is being used or lost, so we can better plan where our resources should best be placed to manage growth.

As for rating of the water you use, it will continue as per our current bylaws and fees and charges for the foreseeable future. The new water meters can be used by you (the consumer) to monitor for leaks within your property and control water usage, this can be a fun exercise and involve the whole family.

Over the next year, Council will also put out information and tips about good water management and use.

Stuart Duncan
CHIEF EXECUTIVE