Waitahanui to be consulted on water supply

5 August 2014

A $1.9 million government grant will soon see Waitahanui residents asked if they want to connect to the Taupo town water supply.

The government last week pledged to contribute $1,942,250 towards the project that would give Waitahanui residents a water supply that complies with New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.

Infrastructure manager Denis Lewis said the application for the grant was made prior to consulting with the community as the success of the application would make a huge difference to the cost to Waitahanui residents.

Now that we have been advised of the grant we know what the value of this subsidy is so we are in a position to be able to take this information to the community and ask for feedback on the proposal, he said.

The council will consult with the Waitahanui community later in the year. Thirty properties are already connected to the Taupo water supply and this project would see an additional 300 properties given the ability to access town water. The project would need to be included in the council's 10-Year Plan and budgeted for accordingly.

Mr Lewis said if the project went ahead, it would be carried out at the same time as the project to connect Waitahanui's sewerage network with Taupo's. This would keep costs and traffic management issues to a minimum so there would be no unnecessary disruption, Mr Lewis said.

If given the green light, the project would be completed within the next two years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz