Council strengthens resiliency of eastern drinking water network
This investment aligns with Council’s priority to deliver infrastructure that is safe and reliable, resilient to climate change and enables targeted growth. Council set aside $421 million in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan to fund investment in core infrastructure, $52m is dedicated to the drinking water network.
DCE – Infrastructure & Environmental Solutions Stavros Michael says the proactive investment in the city’s infrastructure will ensure we can meet the forecasted community demand now and well into the future while we do not unduly stress our water sources.
“From recent weather events around the country we know that investing in infrastructure that is safe, reliable and resilient against climate change is one of the most important activities we can be doing as a Council. We also need to ensure that we are preparing now for the growth that is projected to happen in and around our city and concurrently protect kaitiaki flows into our streams. Without adequate infrastructure provision our city won’t be able to grow well and sustainably in the way we need it to.”
“Council has recognised this need and we have a significant investment journey ahead of us over the next 10 years.”
Work to ready the site for construction is underway and the full project is expected to take approximately 6 - 8 months. The area around the construction site will be closed to the public during the work period.
Due to the proximity to mountain bike trails, council has engaged Rotorua Trails Trust to construct trail bypasses so riders and walkers can avoid the construction area. The Trust will create a bypass for the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop and Tokorangi Pā (Purple track) near the current water reservoir. Signage will be in place to direct forest users.
Key information:
- Council’s water supplies come from 10 natural sources – eight springs, one bore and one lake.
- The central city water supply stores up to 32,000m3 of water and is made up of 10 reservoirs.
- The eastern water supply covers the area from Puarenga Stream to Cookson Road and includes Okareka.
- Drinking water for the eastern water supply is sourced from the Waipa spring in the Whakarewarewa Forest.
- The Hemo spring in the forest was the original water supply for the Rotorua township.
- Tarawera Road currently has two reservoirs, the largest holds 5000m3 of water and the second reservoir (where the new tank will be built) holds 2200m3 of water.
- In summer, the average daily water usage for the eastern supply is 8000m3 per day.