Noise, vibration and truck traffic are expected as work begins today (Monday, November 3) on upgrades to the Patearoa Water Treatment Plant aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the town’s drinking water. 

A new ultraviolet (UV) treatment system is to be installed at the plant on the corner of Aitken Road and Chirnside Terrace. 

Work hours are scheduled for weekdays, 7am to 7pm, and will continue until the week before Christmas. 

Traffic impacts will include one day of stop–go traffic with minor delays, followed by a shoulder closure for the remainder of the project. 

Access to the Sowburn Walkway and swimming hole is to remain open. 

“Expect some noise, vibration and truck activity due to construction,” a Central Otago District Council spokesperson said in an announcement last week confirming the work schedule. 

“Thank you for your patience as we make these important upgrades.” 

The project forms part of a wider programme of upgrades to water treatment plants across the district to ensure all meet New Zealand Drinking Water Standards for protozoa treatment. 

The existing system at Patearoa does not meet those standards, meaning boil water notices are sometimes required when water quality is affected by rainfall or high turbidity. 

The new UV treatment system will provide an effective barrier against protozoa and other microorganisms, helping ensure water is safe to drink. 

CODC’s three waters team worked with Fulton Hogan’s design team to plan and design upgrades at Patearoa and Ranfurly, where there are similar challenges with water treatment and regulation. 

At a council meeting last week, the first for the new triennium, CODC capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan told elected members the delivery of both projects was “going pretty well”. 

“We have an interim protozoa barrier in at Ranfurly, so that’s given us confidence to push ahead on the Patearoa one - and focus on making sure we get that one done first,” he said. 

“We certainly won’t slow down on the Ranfurly site, but we know Patearoa is really critical to have that completed and functioning fully before the December deadline.” 

For water systems that rely on surface water as the source – like at Patearoa and Ranfurly – the national water regulator has given local authorities an extended deadline - the end of December - for

treatment upgrades.  

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