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Rural Water Extensions

We are extending the water supply into rural parts of New Plymouth District so more people have access to a secure water drinking supply.

The project is being rolled out in stages. Residents will be invited (by mail) to apply for a connection to a restricted flow supply from their road boundary. The letter will include costs, timing and all the appropriate forms that may be required.

Our long-term aim is to eventually provide trickle-fed reticulated water to rural properties along the North Taranaki coast from Carrs Rd to the north of Urenui to Weld Rd near Oakura by 2016.

Timeline

March 2008 - June 2008: Matarikoriko Rd (inland from Waitara). Approval from the Historic Places Trust was received in December 2007.

The new rural water main currently being installed has cut through an archaeological site and encountered archaeological material. The site is a military redoubt from 1860 and the material identified by the project archaeologist include military buttons, shells and broken glass. This archaeological work was anticipated in the project plan and has been allowed for in the project budget and programme. It is not resulting in delays or cost escalations.

August 2008: Completed instalation, pressure testing and disinfection of approximately 7km of new water mains along Matarikoriko Rd. Waiting on confirmation of clear bacteriological samples before connecting the new mains into the reticulation network.

Expected completion: September 2008.

2008/09: Barrett Rd (subject to adequate funding).

2009/10 onwards: Programme for extension to be reviewed under the 2009-2019 LTCCP process.
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Frequently asked questions?

How will the system work?
Contractors lay pipes (generally in road reserves) that will allow residents, who have applied for a connection, to get the water from the boundary connection to a storage tank.

Who are the contractors?
Local consultants BTW and Kernot Consulting have been contracted to design the kilometres of pipelines and the pumping stations that will be needed for the rural water supply extension. Tenders will be called for to install the council-owned water mains.

What is a restricted flow supply?
A restricted flow connection supplies a maximum (requested by the user) volume of water. The water is supplied at a constant rate throughout the day to a storage tank on the resident’s property

Who does what?
We put in a boundary connection and it is the property owner’s responsibility to pipe the water from the connection point to a tank.

What happens if I don’t have a tank?
It is the property owner’s responsibility to provide a tank and the appropriate plumbing to get the water from the boundary connection.

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Why sign up?
To have access to a consistent supply of clean, treated water.

Does it cost to connect to the boundary water supply?
Yes. There is a subsidised connection rate if property owners in the same area sign up at the same time. The price will be outlined in a letter from us.

How much does the water cost?
Water is available in one cubic meter amounts. The current (2007/08) charges for one cubic metre per day costs $146.05 per year, two cubic metres per day costs $292.10, three cubic metres costs $438.15 and so on. It is billed every quarter.

How much water can I get?
A supply of one cubic metre per day is guaranteed. The reticulation is designed so that a property owner can receive one cubic metre per day for each dwelling plus half a cubic metre per day per hectare of land owned. The maximum size supply is 70 cubic metres per day. We will consider applications for volumes in excess of these rates on an individual basis.
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What is the process for getting connected?
We will get in contact with you (by letter) and let you know when the water pipes in your area are expected to be laid. The letter will include costs, timing and all the appropriate forms that may be required.

What happens if I don’t sign up straight away?
You can apply for a connection at a later date, however there is no guarantee that supply will be available (i.e. no pipes have been laid in your street/road) and you won’t qualify for the subsidised sign up rate.

Is the water supply metered?
No. You pay for the volume of water you requested.

Do I pay for how much water I use?
No. You pay for the volume of water you requested.

What happens if I don’t use all my water supply?
You will be supplied with water to replenish the volume you have used up to the maximum volume you requested. You will still be charged for the volume you requested even if you don't use it all.

What if I want more/less water?
You can change the volume of water you want supplied. A charge will apply.

More information

For more information contact us on 06-759 6060 or use the online contact us form.

• Contact us form

Related links

• Water

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