Key Takeaways
- The town of Kāeo in the Far North has had its water treatment plant resume operation after a 67-day shutdown.
- Residents had been living under a boil-water notice for over a decade, and the town’s water supply stopped completely in October.
- The national water authority, Taumata Arowai, stepped in and ordered the Far North District Council to take over the privately-owned water supply.
- The town’s water scheme supplies about 30 homes and businesses, as well as public facilities, and a boil-water notice remains in place until March.
- The council has been given until March to bring the supply up to standard, and residents are relieved to have running water again, especially for Christmas.
Introduction to Kāeo’s Water Crisis
The town of Kāeo, located about 30km north of Kerikeri in the Far North, has been facing a severe water crisis for over a decade. The town’s water supply had been under a boil-water notice for more than 10 years, but in October, the situation took a turn for the worse when the town’s water supply stopped completely. Residents were left without running water, and the town’s businesses and public facilities were severely impacted. The situation was so dire that the national water authority, Taumata Arowai, had to step in and order the Far North District Council to take over the privately-owned water supply.
The Shutdown and Its Impact
The shutdown of the water treatment plant had a significant impact on the town’s residents and businesses. Anna Valentine, a Kāeo resident and chef, said that the lack of running water had made it impossible for her to run her cooking school, which she operates from her home. The town’s museum, which does not have holding tanks, had to rely on volunteers bringing water from home to flush the toilets. The situation was incredibly challenging, and residents were forced to rely on alternative sources of water, such as rainwater tanks and water tankers. The town’s boil-water notice remained in place, and residents were advised to boil their water before consumption.
The Response to the Crisis
In response to the crisis, Taumata Arowai ordered the Far North District Council to take over the privately-owned water supply. The council worked to restart the treatment plant, and after 67 days, the plant was finally operational again. Residents were relieved to have running water again, and the town’s businesses and public facilities were able to resume normal operations. The council has been given until March to bring the supply up to standard, and residents are hopeful that the town’s water woes are finally coming to an end.
The History of Kāeo’s Water Supply
The town’s water supply was originally owned by the Far North District Council but was sold to Doubtless Bay Water in 2000. Doubtless Bay Water exited in 2008, saying the scheme was no longer viable. The supply was then bought by Wai Care Environmental Consultants, which owned and operated the water supply until Taumata Arowai’s intervention in November. The situation was further complicated by a dispute between Wai Care operator Bryce Aldridge and the landowner, who issued a trespass notice after not being paid rent for seven years. Aldridge claimed to have a document proving he did not have to pay rent, but the situation remained unresolved.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The resumption of the water treatment plant’s operation is a welcome relief for the residents of Kāeo. The town’s businesses and public facilities are able to resume normal operations, and residents can finally celebrate Christmas without worrying about water. While the town’s boil-water notice remains in place until March, residents are hopeful that the council will be able to bring the supply up to standard. The situation in Kāeo highlights the importance of reliable and safe water supplies, and the need for effective governance and management of these critical infrastructure systems. As the town looks to the future, residents are grateful for the intervention of Taumata Arowai and the Far North District Council, and they hope that their water woes are finally behind them.