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APPLYING FOR A CONNECTION TO A SERVICE Alexandra Water Supply Issues Report (pdf 4.12MB) Wise use of water in Central Otago gardens brochure (340kb) Overview of water supplies managed by CouncilCouncil has responsibilities relating to the supply of water under the Health Act 1956 to improve, promote, and protect public health within their districts. In the Central Otago District, there are presently nine public water supply systems, to which approximately 7,300 properties are connected. These are located at: AlexandraAlexandra has a current resident population of just under 5,000 people. The town water supply was established in the early 1900s and has latterly evolved from a supply fed by the Butcher Dam irrigation system to a ground water extraction system with a borefield on the true left bank of the Clutha River. The supply draws its water from shallow ground water, typically 12m deep. The borefield contains six bores located near the Clutha River approximately 1,750m upstream from the main bridge. Water is chlorinated and then pumped directly into the distribution network. The Alexandra water reticulation is approximately 40kms in length with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 2,000,000m³. CromwellCromwell has a current resident population of just over 3,400 people. It is a popular holiday destination which means an increase in population to around 7,000 during the Christmas holiday period. Cromwell’s water is supplied by two bores close to the shore of Lake Dunstan. The bore water is chlorinated and held in a contact tank to ensure chlorine has time to disinfect the water prior to high lift pumps transferring the water to two large reservoirs via the reticulation. The length of the Cromwell reticulation is approximately 52kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 2,000,000m³. Bannockburn / Lowburn / RipponvaleWater is supplied to Bannockburn, Lowburn and the private scheme of Ripponvale via the Cromwell reticulation. ClydeClyde has a current resident population of just under 900 people. It is a popular holiday destination over the summer period, and the population increases to between 2,000 and 3,000. The town was originally supplied with water from the Waikerikeri Valley which flowed by open race to the two open reservoirs located on the terrace to the North West of the town. The Clyde water supply draws water from schist formation adjacent to Lake Dunstan. The bore is a shallow, screened casing with one submersible pump. Water is then pumped by dedicated rising main to the 1,000m³ concrete reservoir. Bore water is chlorinated as it enters the reservoir. The construction of the Clyde Dam saw significant upgrade work to the town water supply, when the old cast iron pipes were upgraded. The length of the Clyde reticulation is approximately 8kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 610,000m³. Omakau/OphirOmakau/Ophir has a current resident population of just under 400 people. Omakau’s water supply is a low pressure scheme and water is sourced from the Manuherikia River via an infiltration gallery under the river bed. Water is drawn to the plant and pumped through a rapid sand filter. The water is chlorinated, pH corrected, and then flows to the contact tanks. Treated water is pumped via the reticulation system to four 23m³ reservoir tanks located near the Church, off Racecourse Road. Treated water is also pumped via the reticulation system of Ophir to two 23m³ reservoir tanks located 200m behind the town. The length of the Omakau/Ophir reticulation is approximately 5kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 130,000m³. NasebyThe total population of Naseby is 100 permanent residents. The township also has a number of holiday homes and the population peaks during summer months. Water is sourced from the West Eweburn and purchased from the Hawkdun Idaburn Irrigation Company. It is drawn off from a water race through the Naseby forest which passes approximately 20m away from the water treatment plant. The water supply is fully gravity fed from intake to consumer. The water treatment plant is located just off Swimming Dam Road. The treatment process is a conventional direct filtration process, whereby liquid Coagulant is applied to the incoming raw water before filtration process. Boil water notices are not uncommon in Naseby as race water can become very turbid, making chlorine disinfection ineffective. The length of the Naseby reticulation is approximately 7kms, and with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 60,000m³. RanfurlyRanfurly has a current resident population of just under 800 people. Water is primarily sourced from the East Eweburn. There are two intake structures – a low concrete dam where the creek leaves the hills and gallery pipes in the creek bed gravels about 1km upstream from Smiths Road. A secondary source of water is from the Hawkdun Idaburn Irrigation Race and is drawn off during periods of dry weather when the Eweburn is too low. The water supply is gravity fed from source to customers and water flows to the reservoir via a slow sand filter. The water is disinfected by liquid chlorine prior to reservoir storage and gravitates to the town reticulation. The length of the Ranfurly reticulation is approximately 16kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 260,000m³. PatearoaPatearoa water supply services the township of Patearoa and the Patearoa rural water supply scheme. There are approximately 50 properties in the town and 283 rural units allocated to about 40 propertries (farming and residents). The township also has a number of holiday homes and the population peaks during summer months. Water is sourced from a gallery in the bed of the Sowburn River, a tributary of the Taieri. Water is pumped directly from a pump chamber in the Sowburn to the main rural reservoir. It is chlorinated as it passes the treatment plant to eventually enter the main reservoir where disinfection and storage takes place. The water then flows by gravity to all parts of the rural scheme. Water is drawn off into a bank of six farm tanks which serve the urban area of Patearoa. The length of the Patearoa reticulation is approximately 20kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 250,000m³. RoxburghThe total permanent population of Roxburgh is 620, with 900 at holiday times. Water is drawn from bores located on the right bank of the Clutha River, approximately 600 metres north of the Roxburgh township boundary. The water is taken from a borefield comprising two bores. Water is chlorinated as it enters the main reservoir where disinfection and storage takes place prior to flowing to the town consumers by gravity. The length of the Roxburgh reticulation is 10kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 250,000m³. Lake Roxburgh VillageThe village has a resident population of about 50. Over the Christmas holiday period, visitors increase to close to 200 for several weeks. Water is drawn directly from Lake Roxburgh by two submersible pumps secured directly to the lake side of the dam itself. Water is pumped directly to the treatment plant buildings which house the pressure filters and chlorination equipment. The length of the Lake Roxburgh Village reticulation is approximately 3.5kms, with an annual average consumption of water of approximately 50,000m³. Applying to connect to a council serviceIf you wish to connect to the reticulation network you will need to complete the following forms and return them to the Assets Administration Officer at Council, vanessa.hooykaas@codc.govt.nz If you wish to know who Council's approved contractors for water, sewer and storm water connections are, please see the following schedule: Frequently asked questionsHow do I know my water is healthy? Council tests water regularly and has instruments that constantly check water quality. The Ministry of Health checks these results. What is in my water? The only chemical added to water is chlorine. This kills bugs that may be in your water. Some water is hard - that is, it contains some natural minerals similar to those in bottled water. These are not a health risk, but they do make jugs noisy and cause lime to build up on elements. Sometimes water contains tiny bubbles that make it look milky. Standing water for a few minutes improves the look. These bubbles are not a health hazard. Conserving Water The amount of water used in Central Otago is among the highest in the world on a per person basis. The cost of treating and pumping water is high. If everyone used less water this could reduce your rates. The amount of water used in Central Otago is growing rapidly. This is partly because we use water carelessly. If we carry on doing this, water restrictions and shortages will continue. Pipes and pumps will not be able to keep up with water demand. There is a leak in the street Please phone any Council office at any time to report leaks, 03 440 0056. I need to turn my water off You will have a toby where you can turn your water off. The toby is usually under a lid close to your boundary. A white paint mark on the kerb often marks the point where your pipeline connects to the main. I can’t turn my water off If your toby is broken, leaks or you can’t find it, phone any Council office anytime to arrange to have it fixed or found. What is Council's and what is mine? Council maintains pipes up to and including your toby. Anything after the toby into your property is your responsibility to maintain and repair. New Tobies Council is replacing defective tobies with a new design. All new tobies must be of this design. These new tobies stop water being drawn back into the mains from users in certain situations. This makes our water supply safer. What can I use water for? Water supplies are for domestic use: washing, drinking and food preparation. Other uses are not a right and may require special conditions. Fire sprinkler systems require special permission. Water meters Water meters may be required when:
How do I get a water connection? You may already have a connection - check with Council if you are uncertain. If you already have a toby at your boundary you can connect to it. You can apply for approval of a water connection at any Council office. A fee applies. You must use an approved contractor to connect to Council mains once you have approval. How am I charged for metered water? You are rated for water as well as metered; you are not paying twice. This is because you are not charged for metered water until your consumption exceeds the annual average. The first of each year’s three water accounts may be small, or you may not even get an account. I want more detail You can email enquiries to vanessa.hooykaas@codc.govt.nz, or You can phone any Council office and have your questions passed to the relevant person. Boil Water Notices Occasionally Council is unable to treat water to remove bugs. This usually occurs because of heavy rain. You should receive notice of a “Boil Water Notice” in your letterbox or on the radio. During a “Boil Water Notice” there is a risk you could become sick by using un-boiled water for:
Garden Watering Incorrect garden watering causes large amounts of water wastage. If water is running off your garden you are watering too heavily. If soil looks glassy you are watering faster than the water can soak in. Use fine spraying irrigators and sprinklers. Do not flood irrigate. Water when it is cool and there is little wind, if you can. Water Meter BillingWhat is a zero rated allocation? In your rates you pay a water connected fee, this allows for an allocation of water to be used before you are charged per unit for excess use. What is my zero rated allocation? (In units) Alexandra 616 What is a unit? 1 unit = 1000L or 1 cubic metre E.g. Alexandra has 616 units for zero rated allocation this = 616,000L of water, How much water have I used? Council encourages consumers to read your meter on a weekly basis to understand your water consumption, if you would like to know your start read you can ring the Council offices to find this out and then monitor your usage. How many reads will be done? 3 reads a year (In Councils financial year of 1st July – 30 June) Do I get a bill every time you read my meter? No, you will only receive a bill or statement when you have used over your allocated amount. How much will I be charged per unit after I have used my allocation? Alexandra 56c How do I read my meter? Generally there are 4 or 5 black dials on the left and 3 red dials on the right. The red dials are counting litres and the black dials are counting units. You read the black dials to ascertain how many units you have been using. Where is my meter? You are looking for a blue or black square box, generally situated anywhere along your front boundary How do I know if I have a leak? Ensure that everything that runs water is turned off in the house, and go and check your meter if the litres are still ticking over that means you have a leak somewhere in the line to the house or for example your cistern may be running in the loo or taps dripping – you would be surprised at how much water can be wasted from a dripping tap! Am I going to be charged this year? If your property is over 1100m2 or a commercial premise your meter will be read and charged accordingly, if your property is less than 1100m2 (except if you live in Patearoa or Bannockburn) you will NOT be charged on meter reads this year, even though you have a meter installed, it would be a good idea to monitor your consumption anyway as described above. In Naseby there currently is no charging this year – as of 1st July 2010, commercial users and 1100m² will be charged the same as above. Omakau/Ophir currently only meter and bill commercial premises – as of 1 July 2010, 1100m² will be metered also. |
