Mayor frustrated by theft of water pump

Thieves have broken into a Porirua water station and made off with large pump needed to supply the community in the event of a major disaster.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said she was shocked that a crucial part of Porirua City’s emergency response has been stolen from a community water station in Takapu¯wa¯hia.

‘‘This is really disappointing to hear that someone in the community could do that to themselves. I am really annoyed and frustrated that it’s been done,’’ Baker said.

‘‘We have to have this in our community.

‘‘Obviously, we’re going to have to get on with [replacing it] really quickly, because if something happens straight away, that community will be without water,’’ Baker said.

Thieves broke into the station on April 17 or 18, removing the pump and other items.

The pump was used to bolster the community water supply in an event when usual supply is compromised by taking water from a nearby stream and cleaning it for residential use.

Jerry Wren, Porirua City Council emergency management controller, said the pump would cost about $5000 to replace with an additional $7000 to repair the station.

Wren said the pump was a large piece of machinery and would have required at least two people to remove it.