Marlborough District Council has signed a contract with Apex Water Ltd to build a temporary ultraviolet (UV) treatment plant in Havelock.
Once installed and running, the town’s boil water advisory will be able to be lifted, the Council advised.
Council Infrastructure and Services Manager, Richard Coningham said it was a great step forward.
“We will install the temporary plant over the coming weeks, assuming good weather. It requires earthworks to build a platform 1.7 metres high to support the container housing the UV equipment, which will sit next to our existing treatment plant. The height is required because the current site is within the Kaituna River floodzone,” said Mr Coningham.
“We will work closely with Marlborough Lines to upgrade the power supply with a large transformer.
“If all goes to plan, we’ll be able to lift the boil water advisory by mid to late September. In the meantime people should continue to boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing food. Advice on this is available on the Council website.”
Costs are expected to be in the range of $750,000, some of which will be recoverable through the reuse of equipment for the new permanent plant to be opened at a new site in 2028. The budget set aside in Council’s Long Term Plan for Havelock’s permanent plant is $14 million.
