WAIPA WATER
Making sure we have the right water supply
infrastructure in place is one of the biggest challenges
facing our district over the next 10 – 30 years.
Here’s why, and here’s what we’re doing about it.
May 2016
T H E C H A L L A N G E W E FA C E
Waipa’s population is growing, and will continue to grow for some time.
We’ll need to be able to supply everyone with water and will need the
infrastructure in place to do it. That’s going to take significant investment.
As part of the 2015-25 10-Year Plan, the Council agreed to spend more
than $200 million on Waipa’s water, wastewater and stormwater
infrastructure over the next decade.
Installing water meters into those parts of the district that don’t already
have them* is just a small part of that investment.
MORE THAN GROWTH…
It’s not just population growth that’s forcing our community to make a
big investment in water infrastructure. There are other reasons too.
• Our towns and industrial areas have already outgrown their
water supplies.
• In parts of our district, we’re struggling to provide enough water,
especially during summer.
• Some of our water infrastructure has reached the end of its useful
life. It’s old and needs replacing.
• We have water pressure, taste and odour issues to resolve.
• Our Waikato Regional Council resource consent conditions have
changed. We’re restricted on how much water we can take from
local streams, bores and rivers. In Te Awamutu, as part of our
resource consent, the Waikato Regional Council has required us to
install water meters.
• We have to comply with new national rules to protect the
environment and with drinking water standards.
• We have to provide back-up options for the community in case key
infrastructure fails.
Some of our water infrastructure has reached the
end of its useful life. It’s old and needs replacing.
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* There have been water meters in Ohaupo since (at least) 1991 and parts of Pirongia since 1997.
The majority of rural, industrial and commercial water users in Waipa are already metered.
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T H E C H A L L A N G E W E FA C E
DIFFERENT PLACES, DIFFERENT ISSUES
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS OLD…
The challenges we face around water are different in distinctive parts of
our district.
Growth is only part of the reason for the challenges we face. Certainly
the rapid growth in Cambridge, particularly Cambridge north, has
created some issues around water pressure. But much of our
infrastructure across the district is already old and needs replacing.
In Te Awamutu, the issue is supply. We simply don’t have enough water
to supply the town with the water it needs, and we can’t cater for
projected growth. Te Awamutu’s water comes from the Mangauika
Stream on Mount Pirongia and we are restricted as to how much water
we can take from that stream.
In recent years, there have also been taste and odour issues with Te Awamutu
water caused by algae blooms at the Te Tahi raw water reservoir. The
blooms are caused by low flows in the stream during hot, dry periods.
In Cambridge, the issue is demand. Cambridge’s growth has already put
stress and strain on existing water infrastructure and we need to build
more infrastructure in Cambridge to keep up.
Elsewhere in the district there are other issues. In December 2013, the
pipe which supplies the Ohaupo township broke, leaving the town
without water for six hours. In March 2014, one of the pumps feeding
the Kihikihi reservoir failed, leaving only two hours of stored water
available. In August 2014, a pipe feeding the Pukerimu water scheme
broke, putting huge pressure on users including the Hamilton Airport,
Titanium Park and Mystery Creek.
We are restricted as to how much water
we can take from the Mangauika Stream.
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The main pipe from Te Tahi to Pirongia for example, dates from 1938. It’s still
in service and doing a great job but at some stage will need to be replaced.
We already have an active renewals programme, meaning we are
continually replacing old, worn-out infrastructure. But we can’t afford to
do it all at once. We assess the role of our infrastructure and its age and
condition before deciding what to replace, by when.
WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?
Te Awamutu water currently comes from the
Mangauika Stream on Mt Pirongia as well as from
an underground bore in Frontier Road.
In Cambridge it comes from the Waikato River and
Hicks Road springs
In Kihikihi, it comes from two underground bores.
The Pukerimu scheme provides water (from the Waikato River)
to rural households between Te Awamutu and Cambridge, the
Hamilton Airport, Mystery Creek and Ohaupo.
Other people in the district supply their own water.
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WA I PA’ S WAT E R S T R AT E G Y
T H E C O S T O F WAT E R
Waipa District Council has a water strategy in place which will:
Water is not free. There are huge costs to treating water and supplying
water, as well as disposing of wastewater. The costs, which include
things like chemicals, energy and hardware like pipes, are funded by
ratepayers connected to the water supply system.
– Secure a more reliable water supply for Te Awamutu
As part of
Waipa’s water
strategy, we will
also be actively
managing water
demand in our
district.
– Resolve issues like poor water pressure (particularly in Cambridge)
and taste and odour issues (particularly in Te Awamutu)
– Ensure the district can cope with projected population growth
– Address issues of ageing infrastructure
– Meet all the rules, including new drinking water standards and more
stringent environmental standards
– Help manage the demand for water by working with the community
on education programmes like Smart Water (www.smartwater.org.nz).
The strategy was signed off as part of the 2015-2015 10-Year Plan and is
online at www.waipadc.govt.nz/waterstrategy.
Over time, the strategy aims to resolve all of the water issues across the
district. Given the resources we have, they cannot all be resolved
immediately. But the following work is planned and budgeted:
In Cambridge…
Over the next few years, we’re upgrading the Karapiro treatment plant
and doing work on the main pipeline to get water to where it needs to
go (e.g., Cambridge north).
In Te Awamutu, Pukerimu, Hamilton Airport, Titanium Park, Ohaupo...
Over the next few years, we may be upgrading the Parallel Road
Treatment Plant and connecting the Te Awamutu Scheme to the
Pukerimu Scheme with a new trunk main.
However, at the same time, we’re also investigating an alternative,
stand-alone scheme option for Te Awamutu which involves finding
additional bore water for the town. Work on that began last year and if
successful, has the potential to save millions of dollars. There is still more
work to be done on this option to see if it is viable.
In Kihikihi…
In Kihikihi, the existing bores are coping with the demand. We are not
proposing any major work for the next 10 years as long as water demand
is managed and less water is being used.
As part of Waipa’s water strategy, we will also be actively managing
water demand in our district. That includes installing water meters in
those parts of our district that don’t already have them (see page 7 for
specific information about water meters).
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Waipa District Council spends around $18 million every year running
the system and replacing infrastructure as required. These costs are
funded by ratepayers.
It’s important to note that Councils, by law, are ONLY allowed to
recover the costs of treating, supplying and disposing of water.
Councils are NOT allowed to make a profit on water.
Waipa’s water strategy depends on all of us using less water. If we
don’t, we will be forced to spend more money – sooner – on expensive
infrastructure. We’ve already budgeted to spend more than $200
million over the next decade on water, wastewater and stormwater
and we don’t want to have to spend more.
To avoid having to fund more infrastructure, people in Waipa need to
restrict their water use to 190 litres per person, per day. Some parts of
the district, particularly those parts with water meters, already do this.
Waipa’s
water strategy
depends on all of
us using less
water. If we don’t,
we will be forced
to spend more
money – sooner
– on expensive
infrastructure.
But in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi, personal water use is
around 250 litres per person, per day. That’s higher than in many other
parts of New Zealand.
Property Developers
Developers pay a charge,
called a development contribution, to
help cover the cost of getting water (and
other infrastructure like roads and
parks) to new subdivisions. Before
subdivisions can be built, the council
must put in infrastructure like pipes and
pumps. Council pays for this upfront and
this is paid back by the developer once
the subdivision is complete and sections
are ready to be sold. It means
developers – not ratepayers – pay for
the majority of new infrastructure.
Fonterra
Fonterra is the
largest single user of water in the
district. But Fonterra is a metered
customer. Like all other customers
and householders with water meters,
Fonterra pays a fixed charge (like an
electricity line charge) and then only
pays for the water it uses. To keep its
costs down, Fonterra has strong
water conservation programmes at
both the Te Awamutu and Hautapu
factory sites.
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WAT E R
STORAGE
As a council,
we are obliged
(by law) to provide
the infrastructure
necessary to
supply and treat
water to national
standards.
RAIN TANKS
There’s nothing to stop people in Waipa installing their own rain water
tanks; some people have already done so. That’s great because it means
those households use less water from town supplies.
But as a council, we are obliged (by law) to provide the infrastructure
necessary to supply and treat water to national standards. During
droughts (when rain water tanks would also be dry) we would still be
responsible for supplying water to households. We must also ensure
there’s enough water available for fire-fighting.
We have done some costings around rain water tanks. To retrofit a rain
tank to a property with an existing water connection would cost
approximately $7,000 – $10,000 per property (depending on the tank
location, concrete pad, size of tank, retrofitting the house spouting and
internal plumbing; and potential electrical work). However to install a
rainwater tank during the construction of a new house costs
approximately $3,000 – $5,000. The tank would need to comply with
rules in the District Plan in terms of where it was placed.
There are currently more than 12,000 existing water connections in
Waipa, so the cost to install rain tanks would be between $90 million and
$120 million. Meanwhile, the public water system, including all of the
infrastructure like pipes, pumps etc, would still need to be maintained –
and paid for – as well.
OTHER STORAGE FACILITIES
Cambridge, Pukerimu, Ohaupo
There is no existing reservoir to store untreated water for the
Cambridge/Pukerimu/Ohaupo supply and a new one is not required
because the water comes from the Waikato River. There is no issue with
water supply; storage is not needed.
HOW
WATER
METERS
WILL
HELP
It’s very clear we need to decrease
the amount of water Waipa people
use. It’s part of our long-term
water strategy. If not, we will be
forced to pay even more for
expensive water infrastructure,
and to pay sooner.
There are a range of ways to
reduce the demand for water.
They include public education
campaigns (like the SmartWater
campaign*) to the installation of
water meters.
Installing water meters into those
parts of the district that don’t
already have them is just a small
part of our investment in water –
but it’s an important part.
Internationally water meters have
been proven to drive down water
use. Even in Waipa, households in
those places that do have meters
(like Ohaupo and Pirongia) use
considerably less water than those
households that don’t.
Water meters also allow us to
accurately measure and manage
water demand. Water meters can
help indicate leaks, particularly on
private properties.
Water meters are also fairer. With
water meters, those households
and businesses who use more
water, pay more. Households and
businesses that use less water,
pay less.
Finally, one of the conditions of the
Te Awamutu water take resource
consent (issued by the Waikato
Regional Council) is that water meters
are installed by 2022 at the latest.
*To find out more about SmartWater
go to www.smartwater.org.nz
With water meters, those households and
business who use more water, pay more. Households
and businesses that use less water, pay less.
Kihikihi
There is no reservoir to store untreated water for Kihikihi and one is not
needed. Water comes from two underground bores and there is enough
to meet the needs of the Kihikihi township.
Te Awamutu
We’re looking to see if storing water in the winter is viable and cost
effective for Te Awamutu. Based on Waikato Regional Council rules, we
could potentially collect more water from the Mangauika Stream at
certain times. But we would need to build another untreated water
storage facility. Storing more water will not resolve demand issues during
the height of the summer when there is simply not enough water in the
Mangauika Stream. We will continue to investigate this option.
6
7
Q
&
A
The fixed charge will be the same for
1. Will the whole of the Waipa district
everyone. The variable charge will
have water meters?
depend on how much water is used.
Eventually, yes. Residential properties
in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and
5. How often will I receive a water
Kihikihi urban areas are the only parts
meter bill?
of the Waipa district that do not
That has not yet been decided. How
already have water meters. We are
the Council charges for water is
planning to install these over 2016/2017.
something that will need to be
discussed with the community before
Water meters have been in place in
decisions are made. At the moment,
Ohaupo (since 1991) and in parts of
customers who already have water
Pirongia (since 1997). The majority of
meters are billed quarterly.
rural, industrial and commercial water
users in the Waipa district (including
6. Will the community get a say in how
Fonterra) already have water meters.
water billing will work?
Yes. This is something the Council
2. Once installed, will ratepayers pay
would want to engage the community
rates and a separate water meter bill?
on before making decisions.
Yes. The first new water meter bills will
not arrive until mid-2018. Until then,
7. Who will own and maintain the
nothing will change and those people
meter?
who do so now will continue to pay for
In most instances Council will own the
their water via a target rate in their
meter and pipelines up to the meter,
rates bill. This is a fixed amount and is
and the council will maintain the
the same for everyone, irrespective of
pipelines and meter when required.
how much water is used.
The pipeline after the meter which
goes to the property is owned by the
Once water meters are installed, the
property owner and is the property
targeted water rate will go. Instead
owner’s responsibility.
households will pay a fixed charge (like
an electricity line charge) and then
8. What is the cost to install water
only pay for how much water they use.
meters in the district?
Around $7 million. This has already
3. How much will water cost?
been factored into the 10-Year water
That depends on how much water
and wastewater budget.
individual households or businesses
use. If you use less water, you pay less.
9. Could this money, instead, be put
If you use more water, you pay more.
towards new infrastructure?
4. What is a water meter bill made up of? Yes but this isn’t a cost-effective
long-term solution. We need to drive
There are two parts to a water meter
down water use in our district to save
bill; a fixed charge which is the same
money and meters are the fairest way
for everyone and helps pay for
to do that. Without water meters, we
infrastructure (a bit like an electricity
would have to spend an additional
line charge) and a variable charge for
the amount of water actually used.
$8 million on treatment plant
8
upgrades and the upgrades would
need to occur sooner.
Installing water meters means we can
monitor how much water individual
households or businesses use. If the
amount of water being used is far in excess
of what it should be, we already contact
our metered customers and let them
know. Often the customer finds a leak on
their property which they can then repair.
Given the age of some houses in
Waipa, we suspect there are a number
of leaks on private properties that
property owners are unaware of. This
will become obvious once a meter is
installed and in most cases, will
prompt property owners to fix the
leaks and save on water costs.
Even with the additional cost to put in
water meters, reducing the demand
for water will help save ratepayers an
estimated $220,000 per year in
operating costs.
10. Will the road/berm be dug up to
install water meters?
That depends on the location of the
connection (toby box). We would
try and minimise disruption to
property owners.
11. If two separate houses share one
water connection now, will we have
a separate connection put on or will
we continue to share?
This will be assessed on a case-bycase basis.
12. Are farmers currently restricted on
how much water they can use?
Rural properties connected to the
Pukerimu water scheme, which was
set up as a ‘restricted’ supply scheme,
have their water flow restricted. But
elsewhere farmers are not currently
restricted on how much water they
can use. However all connected rural
properties already have water meters
and pay for the water they use.
Council is also working with the rural
community to help property owners
use water wisely and save it where
they can.
13. Is the Council also fixing water leaks?
Yes. We regularly check our network of
pipes around the district for leaks and
run leak detection programmes for
hard-to-find leaks. We also fix
any leaks reported to us by people in
the community.
14. Does this have anything to do with
privatising water?
No. By law it is illegal to privatise
water in New Zealand. It’s also illegal
to make a profit from water in New
Zealand. Councils are only allowed to
cover the costs of supplying, treating
and disposing of water – nothing more.
15. Will there still be sprinkler bans?
That will depend on how much water
use in Waipa declines and how quickly
we can build the new infrastructure
required. We cannot do everything at
once. Infrastructure upgrades are
being spread out across a number of
years so the costs are affordable.
16. Do Waipa District Council properties
have water meters?
Yes.
17. Is everyone in Waipa connected to
the Council water supply?
No, only around 61 per cent of households
are currently connected. Households that
are not connected are mainly in rural
areas and have their own water supply.
9
Smart Water is a shared service
already provided by three
councils: Hamilton City, Waikato
District and Waipa District.
Smart Water promotes water
conservation messages through
events, activities and educational
programmes in schools and the
wider community.
Over time, Smart Water activities
will help decrease the demand for
water, including in our district.
For more information go to: