LGOIMA Request Details: LG2135

I refer to your official information request dated 01 December 2022.  

The information you have requested is below.   

3 Waters Public Feedback – September 2021 

The total at the cut-off date for feedback was 2430 – confirmed.   A further 338 responses were received after the cut-off date and are not included in the figures below. 

However, I can confirm there were 8 for Option 1, 334 for Option 2, and 1 for Option 3. 

Option 1: In Favour   Option 2: NO   Option 3: Undecided 
 

Tap/drinking water quality 

Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2019-2020 (health.govt.nz)  

Manawatū District Council operate seven potable water schemes within the Manawatū District. Up until 15 November 2022, the quality of drinking water was controlled by the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 revised 2018. There are essentially two parts to this standard, of which are bacteria and protozoa compliance:  

• During the 2021/22 assessment period there was 100% compliance with - bacteria requirements with no instances of E.coli being detected post treatment and free available chlorine remaining above 0.2g/m3.  
• With the exception of one rural scheme 100% compliance with the protozoa requirements was achieved. Council are in the process of upgrading the treatment for the rural scheme to ensure 100% protozoa compliance is achieved across all schemes in the future.  
  
  Based on this the potable water quality within the Manawatū District is of international standards and safe to consume.   
  
  As of 15 November 2022, the quality of potable water is controlled by Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2022. Two of the seven schemes have been identified as requiring minor upgrades due to the associated amendments. Council are in the process of finalising programmes to complete these upgrades.   
  
  Manawatū District Council are in the process of centralising the council wastewater systems, within the district. As a result, the wastewater from small community systems and the NZDF Ohakea Air Base will be pumped to the Manawatū WWTP. In doing so wastewater will be removed from over 100km of waterways and treated to a higher standard of which only can be afforded at the Manawatū WWTP. To provide an indication of the quality of the effluent at the Manawatū WWTP, the median concentrations between 1 January 2020 and now have been presented below: 
  
   
  
  E.coli                                                   20MPN/100ml 
  
  scBOD5                                               2g/m3 
  
  Soluble Inorganic Nitrogen                 42.6g/m3 
  
  Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous         0.011g/m3 
  
   
  
  In terms of E.coli, scBOD5 and Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous the median concentrations are at or below the relevant instream targets. The Soluble Inorganic Nitrogen is high due to the industrial industries within Feilding. Manawatū District Council are in the process of constructing a separate trade waste line so the industrial waste can be treated separately to address this issue. Based on the current quality of effluent and proposed upgrades the treatment of wastewater within the Manawatū District is of international standard, especially when compared with equivalent communities.     
  
  In 2022 a spill occurred at a pumpstation due to rags impacting the pump capacity. A major upgrade of pump stations across the district is currently underway to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future. Council use international technology and equipment to try and reduce the risk of spills of this nature occurring.   
  
  The wastewater networks in the Manawatu District are in relatively good condition due to most of the smaller villages not having networked wastewater until the 1970s or 1980s.  
  
  Asset Management Plans | Manawatū District Council (mdc.govt.nz)  
  
  Information on the wastewater networks is covered on pages 127 – 152 in the above plan.  
  
  Other than the spills mentioned above there have been no other notified discharges from the wastewater networks. 
  
  If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact the LGOIMA Response Team on 06 323 0000 or by replying to this email.