Infrastructure Strategy Three new wells have been drilled at Conders Bend to support the Renwick water Demand management supply, and test pumping was undertaken during the winter of 2017. The results of Renwick and Havelock are leading the way with meters to be fitted to household these tests will provide important information to be considered during the resource supplies, and volume-based charging for water use. This will help to reduce volumes of consent process. Conditions will be imposed on the permit to prevent any adverse water used for urban irrigation and other high use activities. In future, smart metering impact on other water takes and ensure long term sustainability of the resource. combined with advanced telecommunications and remote control of household Alternative water sources appliances (the ‘internet of things’) will allow customers to take advantage of lower tariffs for water and electricity during periods of low demand. Levelling out the times of Investigations have been undertaken to find alternative sources of water for Havelock. high and low demand for water will help reduce the capacity requirements of future Abstraction from the Pelorus River Valley appears to have the most potential. For infrastructure and assist with more efficient designs. Picton, the nearest viable source is the Tuamarina aquifer. The costs of developing and piping water from these new sources to the settlements is high. Water demand The introduction of rules through a local amendment to the Code of Practice for management strategies will delay, and possibly avoid, the need for this investment. Subdivision could be used to encourage developers to install low water use plumbing Universal metering is a proven method to reduce demand. Other techniques such as apparatus and ‘grey-water recycling’ systems to new housing. This is a useful tool to leakage control, pressure management, public education and new technologies are manage demand for both water supply and wastewater services. However, it is difficult less certain but can also result in more efficient use of water. to implement retrospectively and it will take considerable time to yield results. Increasing wine production 1.3 Ageing infrastructure The success of Marlborough wines around the world is hugely beneficial to the region. The average of the water reticulation is getting older (as shown in the graph). Yet the However, increasing production through additional vineyard hectares, or enhanced reticulation pipework continues to perform well with little evidence of the increased processing to add value to the primary product, will increase demand for water maintenance or burst frequency that might be expected from ageing assets. However, resources. Additional processing at Riverlands and the Cloudy Bay Business Park will in order to avoid a deterioration of the level of service and unacceptable leakage a pro- have to be accommodated within the current consent conditions as its unlikely there active renewals programme will be required. will be additional water available from the over-allocated aquifer. Climate change The eastern areas of Marlborough are predicted to experience longer periods of dry weather as a result of climate change. Water demand peaks during the dry spells as gardens are irrigated and swimming pools are topped up. Longer droughts will increase the frequency and duration of periods of high demand, with potential implications for both water sources and the water supply infrastructure. Continuous sea level rise over the next 100 years is generally regarded as inevitable. This will affect the freshwater–saline balance in groundwater systems and may further restrict the capacity of the Havelock water bores to continue to supply freshwater to the community. Water storage We can't store enough water for use over a long hot summer but investing in new reservoirs (listed in the capital programme) will help to balance the daily peaks, smoothing out the takes required from water sources. Underground assets 2018-28 Long Term Plan Page 188