CCWW04/10 Carmine/Challis CARRIED

There were no late items.

CCWW04/11 Challis/Trembath CARRIED

UTILITIES MANAGER’S WATER SUPPLY REPORT (176KB)

A report from the Utilities Manager was presented.

CCWW04/12 Trembath/Carmine CARRIED

Draft Drinking Water Standards NZ

The Utilities Manager outlined the regulations for drinking water standards. In answer to an inquiry as to what monitoring requirements were for the standard of water quality in the catchments, it was advised that at present the treated water quality is required to be monitored regularly by the local authority. The regional council is currently considering a monitoring programme for water sources. Members expressed concerns as to the importance of ensuring the quality of water supply sources.

It was asked if other districts are meeting the resource consent requirements of discharging wastewater into the rivers. The Utilities Manager advised that all local authorities are required to monitor the sewerage plants and waterways on a regular basis. Environment Waikato carries out an annual monitoring programme. There is an expectation that local authorities should over time achieve a higher water quality for discharge into the waterways, reducing the amount of treatment required for the drinking water source and therefore reducing public health risk.

The elevated base level of aluminium in the Waihou River was discussed. In reply to a question the Utilities Manager stated that the source water was not routinely monitored for aluminium, but the treated water leaving the plant was monitored daily.

Discussion was held regarding the proposed sources for Waihi water supply. The Utilities Manager advised that Opus Consultants are using the water quality and river flow data that has been collected over this summer to evaluate the currently proposed sources of supply, related to storage capacity requirements and storage installation possibilities and considering options of water storage costs and what the demand for supply is for Waihi.

It was asked if one good water source could be available for the Waihi water supply. The Utilities Manager advised that if there was sufficient water that met the needs for the Waihi community, the one source approach would also minimise the cost of pipes and intakes.

It was asked if Iwi are agreeable to water being collected for supply from two sources rather one source. The Iwi Representative stated that if the water supply was limited due to a low water levels in the catchment, that the use of two water sources would be acceptable.

The number of water breaks district wide has shown a decreasing trend over the last four years. This is interpreted as a result of successful pressure control of supply from the water treatment plants and an active renewal programme which has removed problem areas in the network.

In reviewing the water production figures presented, it was noted that the Karangahake water levels for the last month were high due to water loss that is currently not yet accounted for.

A report from the Utilities Manager was presented.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

CCWW04/13 Trembath/Munro CARRIED

It was reported that tenders were invited for the contract for the Waitakaruru Sewerage Project - Design and Build for the new sewerage scheme. After two extensions of time requested by the contractors, the final tender closing date was 29 April 2004.

The tendering process was preceded by an invitation for registrations of interest. A selection process led to an invitation to four companies to tender for the contract.

Three tenderer’s submitted prices for the work, however all tender prices were around twice that was estimated. Council rejected all tenders and have instigated an investigation into design and constructing the sewerage scheme themselves.

It was reported that the effluent monitoring of discharge into the Awaiti Canal is continuing.

It is the intention that as part of the consent renewal process, consultation be undertaken with those persons or bodies who have an interest in and/or are affected by any proposed upgrade and continued operation of the Kerepehi Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The Iwi Representative’s requested a copy of the minutes of the meeting held at Kerepehi to discuss the consent to proposed upgrade of the Kerepehi Wastewater Treatment Facility and Consent to Discharge. The Utilities Manager advised he will follow up the request to produce a copy of the minutes for the representative’s and further consultation will continue.

A report has been produced by consultants Bruce Wallace Partners on the existing and future capacity of the WWTP and Forest Irrigation in relation to subdivisional development of the Whiritoa area.

Tenders have closed for the installation of the Ultraviolet plant and for the Tertiary Treatment system and have been evaluated by OPUS Consultants. It was updated that two contracts have been approved and that the plant will be fully operational by June 2005.

The Ngatea Sewerage Treatment Plant process was switched over to the new process stream on the 30 July 2003. The results show the marked improvement in the quality of effluent that Hauraki District Council is discharging into the Punanga Canal.

Paeroa and Waihi Refuse Transfer Stations have both undergone SWAP (solid waste analysis protocol) surveys covering one week duration each. Interim results from the analysis will be available in mid July. It was reported that there has been an increase in the quantity of waste being received at the Waihi Transfer Station due to the Western Bay of Plenty Council refuse site closing.

It was advised that from 11 August 2004, the Paeroa Transfer Station site will be operated by Council’s Construction and Maintenance business unit.

The Utilities Manager outlined the present options available for the recycling of used tyres. The aim is to see a much greater rate of recycling of tyres over the next two years. Options are being considered to use the recycled tyres in various manufacturing industries.

There was no general business.

The meeting closed at 11.30am.

CONFIRMED

S G Baker

October 2004