Unauthorized releases from Kaitāia Sweetwaters Aquifer project delay work

But Far North District Councilor Mate Radich doubts Sweetwaters will produce drinking water for the region this month, given that all previous deadlines have not been met and the situation is became a “debacle”.

Radich questioned why the council had not informed the public of the stop work notice, given that it was issued six months ago.

In a statement to Northern AgeThe government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it issued an abatement notice to the FNDC on May 10 regarding the unauthorized discharge of water from Sweetwater boreholes.

“The abatement notice required the council to immediately stop discharging water from boreholes into the surrounding wetland. This reduction notice remains in effect.

“As New Zealand’s national environment regulator, the EPA undertook the investigation following a request from the Northland Regional Council. Under the Resource Management Act (RMA), EPA has specific enforcement powers to assist and intervene in a board’s enforcement action.

The EPA would not comment further at this time.

FNDC infrastructure manager Tanya Proctor said in response to the abatement notice a directive had been issued to the council’s operations and maintenance contractor to cease all discharges into the specified area. The mechanical valves on the bypass lines were removed and plugged as an additional mitigation measure.

“Alternative strategies were then developed to ensure the supply of water from the Sweetwater Aquifer to the Kaitāia Water Treatment Plant. This involved exploring different treatment options, establishing alternative flushing points and obtaining necessary consents,” Proctor said.

“We are currently installing a membrane filter at the Kaitāia Water Treatment Plant. This will allow us to treat both the Sweetwater borehole and Awanui River sources. Our goal is to begin introducing water from the Sweetwater Aquifer into the Kaitāia supply in December. »

She said the total cost of the project now stands at $17 million.

Proctor said that since the severe drought of 2019-20, the council has been working to build the resilience of its eight water supplies. The immediate priority was the two southern Hokianga water reserves – Ōmanaia-Rāwene and Ōpononi-Ōmāpere, which have long been most vulnerable to dry conditions and were for many years subject to Level 2 restrictions automatically imposed in December.

In 2019 the council built a $2.8 million water treatment plant and storage tanks near Ōmanaia and in summer 2020-21 commissioned a borehole on Smoothy Rd in Ōmāpere to improve the resilience of this supply. No water restrictions have been necessary for Ōpononi-Ōmāpere since this borehole became the community’s main water supply.

“We are now focused on providing Kaitāia with a permanent additional supply of water from the Sweetwater aquifers. This will significantly improve the drought resilience of our second largest city and protect the ecology of the Awanui River,” she said.

“The council’s water shortage management committee will begin its regular meetings this month. Working with Far North Waters contractors, the committee will monitor all water sources that supply our communities as we approach the hottest summer months. It will ensure our communities are informed of water supplies and any need for conservation measures and, if necessary, make recommendations on water restrictions.

But that doesn’t agree with longtime councilor Radich, who said the project should have been finished well before now and he wasn’t sure it would be ready by the end of the year.

He said the whole project had been a debacle and did not reflect well on the council or its ability to deliver a major project on time and on budget.

“This has gone on indefinitely and we really needed it before now, not next month or next year. If we have another dry summer and the Awanui River dries up again, we will have to install reservoirs again. water in the main street, just like in a third world country.

“It all stinks. We have spent more than 17 million dollars on it since 2011 and there is still not a drop to drink and I think it will take millions more before the project is finally effective. I’m sure that $17 million, if that’s the correct number, which I don’t think it is, will increase further.”

Radich said he was disappointed that the council didn’t seem too concerned about the enormous cost of Sweetwaters, because the project had been allowed to drag on, and he didn’t know for sure when it would be ready.

“If we have another dry summer and it’s not ready, we’re going to be in big trouble.”

In late January of this year, FNDC said water from the Sweetwater aquifer was days away from being tested. Then, in April, the council said the cost of the project was $13.5 million, but sources told the Northern Age it could end up costing more than $20 million to make. Council said at the time that the final approved budget for the project was $13,630,171, including $3 million from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The council began exploring the use of the Sweetwater Aquifer in 2010, under the leadership of Far North Mayor Wayne Brown. At this point, the project was estimated to cost approximately $2.6 million.