Infrastructure Strategy 1. Specific challenges for this asset published a wide range of recommendations in December 2017 the response from the Government is not yet certain. The changes are likely to include additional monitoring 1.1 Drinking water standards and improved operating procedures. It may also include additional water disinfection plant to be installed to ensure chlorine levels are sufficient to prevent bacterial Upgrades infection. The status of a ‘secure bore’ supply is likely to be revoked which would The upgrade of two water treatment plants in Blenheim in 2011 means the supply to require treatment for the Riverlands supply. the town now meets the requirements of the Drinking Water Standards New Zealand (DWSNZ.) The Picton water supply was upgraded to meet the standards in 2017 with Private water schemes the completion of the Speeds Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Construction has Note: The remaining 18% of the population access water individually or through commenced on a new treatment plant at Seddon and designs are progressing for10 privately managed schemes. The DWSNZ applies to water supply schemes which Renwick and Havelock. The treatment of water supplies to rural Awatere Riverlands serve at least 1500 person days a year (eg; 25 people for at least 60 days of the year). and Wairau Valley will follow. There are 70 private schemes in Marlborough in this category, and at this stage the Council does not have any responsibility for ensuring these private water supplies The Seddon water treatment plant was greatly assisted by a $1 million meet the drinking water standards. subsidy from central government. 1.2 Water availability and consumption Funding the completion of the treatment plant upgrades for all areas will continue to be Partly due to the beautiful Marlborough weather, our region has some of the highest a challenge for the smaller communities of Renwick, Havelock, Wairau Valley and per capita water usage in the country. The current demand for water in Renwick and Awatere Rural. In 2016 the Council consulted Marlborough residents on their Havelock, and projected demand in Picton, is putting considerable strain on the willingness to share the capital costs for the construction of treatment plants at groundwater aquifers from which the water is taken. The National Policy Statement on Renwick and Havelock across all Marlborough ratepayers, and received strong support Freshwater Management (NPSFM) requires allocation limits to be set to protect the for this approach. The ongoing operational costs will be met by a district wide funding sustainability of natural water sources, and it is unlikely that the Council will be able to formula that will make a clean water supply more affordable for smaller communities significantly increase its current water allocations in future consent applications and by spreading the costs across all ratepayers. The Combined Drinking Water Funding may even have further limitations imposed. was adopted in 2016. The Awatere Rural system has a long piped reticulation network serving a relatively Groundwater small number of, mainly rural, lifestyle blocks. Much of the water is used for livestock The water levels in the Renwick bores regularly drop during the summer peak demand drinking water or irrigation. A small disinfection plant installed at the point of entry into period, as water is pumped out faster than it is replaced. Saltwater intrusion detected every home has been proposed as an alternative to centralised treatment for this area. in the Havelock bores is also an indication that more water is being abstracted from these than can be immediately recharged from the aquifer. Government Enquiry The outcome of the Government enquiry into the Havelock North water contamination The water aquifer on the Wairau Plain is, in theory, over-allocated. In practice not all incident is likely to have significant implications for all water suppliers. The enquiry users are using their permitted allocations. Considerable effort is being made to devise a system of re-allocation to allow consented volumes to be distributed equitably to meet the demands of current users, including the Council’s public water supply requirements. 10For treatment purposes, the large Awatere scheme has been split into two parts — the urban area of Seddon and the rural area of Awatere. A single treatment plant for Seddon (with the assistance of a Government subsidy) and point-of-entry treatment for each property in Awatere. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 187