UTILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT (90KB)

CCWW08/02 Harris/Meyers CARRIED

Full compliance at Plains West, Plains Kerepehi, Waihi, Paeroa and Waikino.

There was non compliance at Kaimanawa due to a faulty chlorine filter, which has now been replaced and non compliance at Mackaytown due to a blockage in the chlorine line.

Ohinemuri, Mackaytown, Karangahake and Kaimanawa are all rural treatment plants and are marked for decommissioning.

Increase in total production compared to the 5 year average. This increase has been attributed to the warmer weather experienced. Waihi has increased dramatically; the reason for this is currently being investigated.

The contract for the supply of pipe and fittings has been awarded to Tyco Water and the contract for the installation has been awarded to Council’s internal Construction and Maintenance Business Unit. Stage 2 of the bulk water main involves the installation of a new water main from Kerepehi Tavern to the intersection of Bush Road and Orchard East Road in Ngatea. The Construction and Maintenance Business unit are undertaking welding of pipe work at the present time.

Fortnightly meetings with the design consultants, Opus are continuing. Details are now being worked on, with physical works expected to begin in the first quarter of 2008.

Investigations are still underway to gather information to apply to Environment Waikato for a Resource Consent to take water further downstream of the current intake. Summer flows in the stream will be monitored over the summer months; this data will be used in support of council’s application to Environment Waikato.

NIWA have been commissioned to take water samples from the Waihou River at 4 locations upstream of the Hikutaia Cut, ending at the Puke Bridge on State Highway 2. The samples are to be tested for quality and clarity at various depths. This information is being taken to determine the best position to take water for the Kerepehi Water Treatment Plant.

This project was to have been completed before Christmas, but has been delayed until late January.

No complaints received to date.

All complaints reported into council’s service request system have been resolved within 10 working days.

Repairs to the trunk main in Menzies Place, Paeroa have been completed, the existing main was found to have been severely damaged. The damaged section has now been fully replaced.

New cabling has been installed at the Paeroa Wastewater Treatment Plant, with the aerator now reconnected, the plant will be back to full operation. Allowances have been made to install additional aerators in the future.

Repairs to the Waimarei Ave pumpstation in Paeroa has been completed, this pumpstation is now fully operational.

Backflow prevention has been installed on Council’s new asset, Rata Lane Pump Station, Paeroa.

Stage 1 of the upgrade is expected to start in the new year, this work will involve installation of new pipework. Council’s Construction and Maintenance Business Unit will carry out this work.

MWH are finalising the tender documents to convert pond 2 into wetlands.

Bruce Wallace Partners has been chosen as the design consultants, they are currently producing a work scope for the project and detailed drawings. This is expected in the new year.

The decision on choice of contractor will be made once the documents are received and reviewed.

HDC is in partnership with the Waikato Regional Council on a waste education programme aimed at businesses plus co-sponsoring the Waikato Waste Exchange.

National Waste New Zealand Ltd weighs all products that are being recycled from the transfer stations.

Recycling at the Refuse Transfer Stations has been progressing well. Regular clearing of the recycling by National Waste has ensured recycling is never "dumped" into general waste.

From the council service request system 10 complaints regarding rubbish not being collected was made during the month of November.

The Tonkin and Taylor report on Waste Management and Waste Minimisation in the Hauraki District Council had been discussed at the last Consultative Committee for Water and Wastewater, options for the district were discussed and preference was shown for Option 1 – prepaid bags, kerbside recycling, provision for greenwaste collection in Ngatea, an un-manned recycling facility in Waitakaruru and extension of the collection area to Turua and Kerepehi.

Council is now investigating the costs related to this option.

Work has been completed on repairs to the concrete at the Paeroa Refuse Transfer Station. Further minor works will be completed in the coming months, but this is not expected to cause major disturbance to the operation of the site.

Maunsell consultants have completed the application to Environment Waikato to officially close the site. Council engineers are reviewing the "Assessment of Environmental Effects" report and "Aftercare and Monitoring" plan before submission to Environment Waikato.

Maunsell consultants are currently preparing the draft Assessment of Environmental Effects Report.

Approval will be sought from Council in the New Year to submit a "Notified Application" to Environment Waikato to have the site officially closed.

There has been sewerage backflow issues during storm events. Raw water storage is stretched and water restrictions have been imposed.

There has been a high incidence of breaks in the mains.

William Peters commented that water ‘take’ restrictions need to be put in place at times of low rainfall and considered that extra care was needed to review cleanliness of water during drought periods. He suggested that a workshop be held at some time in the future to review the option of recycling wastewater for domestic use. It was requested that the District Engineer provide a report on alternative options for water supply i.e recycling of wastewater.

The members stated that there has been an issue with rubbish bags not being picked up. The member’s were advised that each household is restricted to one bag, if there is more than one, they will not be picked up.

The District Engineer advised that Ms Parvati Patel, Utilities Engineer will be leaving the Hauraki District Council at the end of February to pursue a role in Hamilton City. Council is considering applications for the role of Utilities Manager at the present time.

The meeting closed at 11.15am.

CONFIRMED

S G Baker

April 2008