February 18, 2020
PGF to rescue as far north runs out of water
Up to $2 million from the Provincial Growth Fund will be allocated to set up temporary water supplies in Kaikohe and Kaitaia.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says drought conditions in Northland means water use in the towns has been restricted to essential cooking, drinking and hygiene.
The money will be used to pipe water from Lake Omapere to the Kaikohe water treatment plant and a bore on Sweetwater farm to the Kaitaia plant.
The projects are being led by former Ministry for Primary Industries director-general Martyn Dunne.
Mr Jones says as well as ensuring residents can continue their lives without significant hardship and disruption, the projects mean industries won’t have to scale back or halt operations in what is one of the PGF’s surge regions.
Once the immediate water supply issues have been addressed, officials will work with the Northland councils to determine what is required to prevent a similar situation in the future.
While the work is being done, Watercare has sent a mobile unit to the far north to treat bore water so tanker delivery operators can continue supply rural communities.
Two containers housing an ultraviolet disinfection unit and a liquid chlorine dosing system, arrived at the Far North District Council’s offices in Kaikohe yesterday.
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