Activity Group: Water Supply The Firefighting Code of Practice also recommends minimum flows and pressures develop new water sources as demand begins to outstrip the capacity of the from hydrants to facilitate firefighting. The pressure of the delivered water existing supply. Water demand management techniques such as universal decreases as demand increases. Pumps and pipes are therefore sized to deliver metering of all properties, and active leak detection programmes are being the minimum levels on peak demand days. Due to either recent rapid growth or a implemented to help suppress demand and delay the need for expensive new legacy of undersized pipework, there are small areas in Blenheim, Picton, infrastructure. Renwick and Havelock in which the water supply does not meet the minimum standard during the peak days of summer. Pipe upgrades will be required to Asset Description alleviate these occasional problems. Achievement of the minimum pressures can The asset base has grown considerably over the last 10 years partly to meet the be monitored through advanced mathematical models ofthe distribution network. growth in demand (domestic and industrial) and more recently through the The Awatere/Seddon and Wairau Valley networks were not designed to meet the addition of water treatment plants to meet the drinking water standards required Firefighting Code and are not included in this metric. by the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007. The total value of the assets High pressure can also be problematic on the steep hills around Picton and on 30 June 2017 was assessed at $126 million and is depreciating at a rate of Havelock. In order to achieve the minimum pressure at the top of the hills the more than $3.1 million/year. properties at the bottom of the valley would receive high pressure water. This can Major Budgeted Capital Projects cause problems with domestic plumbing, increased leakage and wear and tear on fittings. Pressure zone management is one of the options to be considered in The following table outlines the major budgeted projects and areas of expenditure order to manage water demand. proposed for this Activity over the next 10 years. Although these items are Continuity and reliability — A constant and reliable water supply is often taken budgeted, in some cases further public consultation will be required with the for granted, however all systems are likely to break down or fail from time to time. relevant community before the project is implemented. These projects are also The Council cannot guarantee a 24/7 water supply but does endeavour to remedy listed under the Capital Expenditure line of the Funding Impact Statement at the faults as quickly as possible. All requests for service are prioritised based on the end of this Activity section. severity and impact. Major Capital Projects Inflated value Areas (Millions) Customers occasionally suffer from leaks inside their property and rely on the Council toby to turn off the water. The Council does not routinely maintain tobies 2018-28 Pump stations maintenance and $2.1 and cannot guarantee their serviceability. Customers should have a control valve renewal fitted at the point of entry into the property for such emergencies, however Council 2018-28 Fire capacity pipeline upgrades. $2.9 makes best endeavours to assist when such calls are received. Blenheim 2018-28 strengthen and maintenance for Sustainable asset management — Responsible stewardship of major Wither reservoir, Bomford Treat site, Forest $1.5 infrastructure requires the Council to repair, renew and upgrade the assets in a Hills Reservoir etc. timely fashion to avoid accumulating a legacy of decrepit assets. Decisions have 2018-21 New treatment plant. $5.1 to be made as to when it is no longer cost-effective to repair failing assets and to replace them instead. The decision-making process is influenced by the need for 2018-28 Pipelines $0.6 additional capacity, higher quality or greater security. Havelock 2019-21 Construction of additional reservoir. $0.9 In 2016 the Council adopted national performance measures which included an $0.2 assessment of the amount of water used by customers and the level of leakage 2018-19 Universal water meters. from the supply. Customer consumption and leakage have both been estimated 2021-23 New pipelines and at Speeds Road. $4.6 as relatively high in most networks. High quality source waters have been Picton relatively cheap to treat and hot sunny weather encourages high domestic 2020-25 Pipeline Mainline and Press upgrades $0.9 irrigation. Some areas, notably Renwick and Havelock, are facing high costs to 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 94