Where’s Water @ Rangitīkei?
Rangitīkei District Council is responsible for the delivery and management of water services (drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater) for the Rangitīkei District.
There’s a lot happening with water at the moment.
From governance, legislation and policy changes, to a number of key projects on-the-go to improve water services in the Rangitīkei.
‘Where’s Water @ Rangitīkei’ is your one-stop-shop for all things Rangitīkei water. It sets out the water projects Rangitīkei District Council is currently working towards, and explains how they fit together.
Rangitīkei residents deserve to have access to clean, reliable and sustainable water services. Council staff and elected members continue to work hard to implement projects that bring the greatest short-term efficiency and long-term value to our residents.
Local Water Done Well
Like councils across Aotearoa New Zealand, the Rangitīkei District is facing varied and increasingly critical challenges maintaining and future proofing its water services.
Local Water Done Well is a central Government mandated initiative to address concerns about Aotearoa New Zealand’s water infrastructure and water quality.
Although the implementation of Local Water Done Well will likely impact how the Rangitīkei’s water services are governed, residents are unlikely to practically see this impact until 2028. This is because the implementation of the future water services delivery arrangement will take time to establish and be signed off by Government.
Local Water Done Well does not impact key water projects in progress across the Rangitīkei. Our teams are still working hard to deliver the water services upgrades agreed to as part of the Long Term Plan.
Marton Water Supply Strategy
Work is well underway to rectify the taste, colour and smell issues that have plagued Marton’s drinking water, particularly in summer, for decades. A new bore water source has been constructed adjacent to the Tutaenui Reservoir. This, alongside the existing Tutaenui Bore will be on going sources of water for Marton in the future, removing the problems that lead to the taste, colour and smell issues. A trial treatment plant is currently testing and refining proposed treatment operations for these new sources.
We’re expecting a gradual switch-over to the new water source will happen from mid-2025 and prior to that, we’ll be flushing the mains throughout town to remove any sediments that may have built up in the system over the years. Once this is done, it will mean consistent, better tasting and odour-free drinking water all year round.
Bulls Water Supply Infrastructure Upgrades
Starting in 2019, Council began upgrading the Bulls water supply infrastructure. This has been done for two reasons, to futureproof the water supply for the town with population growth expected over the next decade, and to improve the water pressure. In 2021, Council contractors completed the construction of a new storage reservoir under the old Bulls Water Tower, which was deemed earthquake prone. Since then, Council have overseen the construction of a new rising main and a quad pump, which will improve the supply pressure to the town. Council are now in the process of commissioning the new quad pump, and pressure testing connections. Once the new supply is running, we will be decommissioning the Trickers Road Reservoirs, as they will not meet the necessary standards for drinking water and firefighting.
Marton to Bulls Wastewater Centralisation Project
The Marton and Bulls wastewater treatment plants have served our community for a very long time, but are in need of an upgrade. Our focus is on bringing them into compliance with modern processes and to utilise new technology, where appropriate, that is now available to minimise the impact wastewater has on the environment.
We’ve recently investigated a very wide range of options to replace and upgrade the current system and have developed a shortlist of preferred options. These will be investigated in more detail over the next few months . Our goal is the complete removal of treated effluent being discharged to the Tutaenui Stream, in order to develop an efficient and sustainable long-term wastewater management solution.
We are working with leading New Zealand industry organisations and experts in wastewater systems engineering and treatment, consenting, environmental and construction management; as well as a number of mana whenua representatives.
What we choose needs to last for generations to come - so we are carefully considering all solutions and ensuring we make the right choice for this district specifically. Our team will be putting forward a recommended option to Council mid-2025, which we will then ask for community feedback on. After that, we’ll prepare and lodge a consent application for the preferred option.
Lake Waipu Improvement and Rātana Pā Wastewater Treatment Project
Treated wastewater from Rātana Pā is currently being discharged from the treatment plant into an unnamed waterway that leads to Lake Waipu. Lake Waipu has very high trophic levels, which shows that the lake and its fish and plants are in poor condition.
To improve the health and quality of Lake Waipu, Rangitīkei District Council is working with Horizons Regional Council and the Ministry for the Environment to construct a new pipeline that will remove treated wastewater from Lake Waipu and discharge it to a piece of land near Whangaehu beach area. Once the treated wastewater is removed, Horizons Regional Council is looking into a restoration plan for Lake Waipu, including tree planting and ongoing quality monitoring.
Part of the project is also to look into minor upgrades to the current wastewater treatment plant in Rātana Pā. RDC is working with specialists to design the irrigation system for the land. There is value within treated wastewater which can be used to provide important nutrients to plants even during the dryer times of the year.
This project is being funded by Rangitīkei District Council with some external funding from the Ministry for the Environment. Taihape Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Significant upgrades for the wastewater treatment plant to improve the water quality that is discharged into the Hautapu River have been completed. The new pump station and storage tanks have been commissioned and are running, ensuring that previous non-compliance issues have been resolved. Council staff and Friends of Taihape have been working together on the beautification and remediation of Papakai Park, with work due to be completed in January 2025.
Other projects with implications for the Rangitīkei, but not directly managed by Rangitīkei District Council
Oranga Wai | Our Freshwater future
A project driven by Horizons Regional Council, in partnership with iwi, hapū, and local councils to ensure our most precious resource is preserved for generations to come. Read more >
