Water flowing in Tasman towns, but equipment requires fix

Contractors worked through the night to get water flowing again in Wakefield and Brightwater, after a pump issue compromised their supply. But with equipment nearing the end of its life, a costly upgrade is on the cards.

On Thursday afternoon, the Tasman District Council told the residents of the two Tasman district towns to use water only if necessary.

Wakefield’s water supply had been pumped from Brightwater since January 8, when staff identified a possible contamination in the infiltration gallery, a structure that worked like a well, filtering water from the adjacent river.

The increased demand on Brightwater had compromised the pumps, the council explained on Facebook.

“We are requesting residents restrict any water use to essential use only,” the post read.

However, by Friday morning, the issue was resolved after contractors worked overnight to identify a problem with the pump drive.

Also resolved by Friday morning was the question of contamination, with council waters and wastes manager Mike Schruer saying tests revealed “no concern” about the quality of drinking water.

The issue had arisen when staff noticed water in the infiltration gallery was a “whitish, blue hazy colour”, Schruer said.

Staff tested the water for 150 contaminants, but none were identified. Schruer believed the discolouration came from a build up of silt.

This could have been due to heavy rain earlier in the month, he said.

However, heavy rain wasn’t unusual, and Schruer suspected the larger problem was the ageing water infrastructure.

Infiltration galleries have a limited lifespan, and with Wakefield’s “limping along” it would need to be abandoned within five years, he said.

The same applied to Brightwater, where the infrastructure was also at the end of its life.

Under the Waimea Water Strategy, included in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, these water networks will be consolidated into one scheme, which will be fed by the dam.

But it will come at a cost of up to $40 million, a hefty price tag for a region with a relatively small population.

The high cost was the result of several decades of underfunding, Schruer said.

“Without funding for proactive works, you end up in reactive mode... you have to react and repair.”

Wakefield Community Council chairperson Julian Eggers said there had been confusion over the notice, with questions over “necessary” use.

“People were confused about what we can and can’t do.”

He also questioned the council’s communication.

“Most people found out through the council’s Facebook page ... if you didn’t have Facebook, you wouldn’t have known.”

Eggers acknowledged the “balancing act” required to replace the ageing infrastructure.

“It all comes down to cost... no-one likes their rates and taxes going up but we need things fixed.”

While Wakefield and Brightwater residents can now turn on their taps again, they’re still subject to Phase B water restrictions: no watering lawns or filling up pools, and using a hand-held hose to water vege gardens and fruit trees.