Woodville’s water reservoir begins to fill
The tap was turned on on Friday November 9 — and after a very long process the enlarged Woodville Impounded Supply Reservoir has begun to fill.
The process to enlarge the impounded supply began several years ago with HES Earthmoving Ltd contracted to enlarge the existing reservoir. Contingency plans were put in place by Tararua District Council to supply Woodville while the reservoir was empty and they were helped by reasonable weather and cooperation to conserve water by Woodville residents.
Most of the excavation work was completed by April this year allowing Morris and Bailey to install the concrete rim and Viking Containment to line the walls and install the roof.
On Thursday Viking Containment gave the thumbsup to start filling and the tap sourcing water from the Mangapapa Stream intake was turned on on Friday.
The rate at which the reservoir fills will depend on the weather over summer. Tararua District has consent to take 35 litres per second at normal flow times but the stream is already low and the current intake is 25 litres per second.
As 15 litres per second is needed for current use in Woodville the flow is low into the reservoir and it is estimated it will take three months to fill. Already there is about a metre under the roof, rising imperceptibly.
Woodville residents will not notice any change in their supply in the meantime, as use of any water from the Impounded Supply depends on rain and town needs.