New water bores lift drinking supply
Two low-manganese bores online in time for summer
Napier has two new low-manganese bores feeding its drinking water network after yesterday’s official opening of the A2 and A3 bores.
The bores are an “integral part” of ensuring Napier’s drinking water is kept clear and clean. Naturally occurring manganese reacts with chlorine to turn water murky, resulting in ‘dirty water’ issues for Napier’s community.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says bringing the bores online is an important part of the council’s extensive water works programme.
“It’s a great step, with a lot of hard work from our staff and contractors to get us to this point. It’s been an important milestone to get these bores up and running in time for summer, when we may need them the most.”
Napier has some of the highest summer water use in the country, in the past using up to 40 million litres of drinking water each day. To manage demand, several bores feed into the network depending on usage. With these new bores, previous elevated manganese bores will remain in standby unless a critical failure occurs.
The new bores are capable of supplying about a quarter of the community’s water needs
It’s been an important milestone to get these bores up and running in time for summer, when we may need them the most. Kirsten Wise
during warmer weather. The bores mean the network will have more resilience during peak-use times.
Each bore treatment plant has UV treatment and chlorination. The bores and treatment are compliant with the new standards set out by Taumata Arowai (water services regulator for Aotearoa). This is the first time the council has installed UV treatment within its supply.