Marton Water Strategy Update - February 2025

In our last update back in November, we mentioned how we had taken an extra step to ensure the quality of water coming from the Tutaenui Road Bore, located next to the Marton Water Treatment Plant.

A small trial treatment process was installed and operated inside the Marton Water Treatment Plant to simulate how a new treatment process would work to appropriately treat the groundwater. This trial has confirmed in detail the types of equipment that will be needed to treat the bore water when it becomes the main source of water for Marton.

What are the next steps?

In March we’ll be moving the trial treatment plant to the Tutaenui Reservoir Bore site to begin further testing. We anticipate that testing of the water from this bore will take 8 – 12 weeks.

Some people have raised concerns about the infrastructure on site, specifically power for the trial treatment plant. A shed has been built on site next to the bore which will ultimately be used in the operation of the new bore at this site. Next to that shed is a shipping container and that has the power connections that we need to operate the trial treatment plant at this location.

The project team will be erecting security fencing before the trial treatment plant is operational to ensure the safety of those exploring the reservoir and surrounds.

There is a small sampling pump on the bore that will allow the testing to proceed, and we’ve nearly completed the design of the permanent pump and new pipework along Tutaenui Rd that will enter the treatment plant site.

We anticipate that we’ll be able to give you more updates over the next few months as the work towards completion ramps up, in time for the new water to be flowing through your taps before next spring.

We know it's been a long journey with some delays. Rest assured the Marton Water Strategy are working at pace to complete this important project that will future-proof Marton's drinking water for generations.