Three Kings Water Supply Should Not Be Connected Now, Auckland City Council Works Committee Recommends

Community opposition to the Three Kings water source as a drinking water supply swayed the vote at yesterday’s Auckland City Council Works Committee meeting.

Committee members voted in favour of a recommendation from committee chairperson Councillor Doug Astley, who moved that “in view of community concerns, the Three Kings water supply not be connected at this time but be retained as an additional source for emergency use.”

The recommendation will be considered by full council at a meeting on March 22.

“Expert advisers consider water from the Three Kings water source complies with New Zealand drinking water standards, so I believe the actual quality of the water is not of concern,” Councillor Astley said.

“But the community has raised repeated concerns about the quality and safety of the water source and it is apparent that these fears have not been eased by the many scientific studies that have been made of the Three Kings water.”

Councillor Astley says a year’s work has gone into additional independent assessments to determine the water's sustainability, quality and suitability as a drinking water supply.

“They have all shown that the Three Kings water meets drinking water standards and is satisfactory as a water source, but we have not been able to reassure the community,” he said.

“Under the circumstances, the committee has determined that it seems best not to connect the supply, but to have it on hand in the event of an emergency.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Councillor Doug Astley, tel: 620 4923 or 025 2970 494.

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