23 August 2002

Artesian Water Supply Delayed

The Wellington Regional Council have advised Hutt City Council that further problems and delays have been experienced with their contract for re-lining their bulk water main along the Petone Esplanade.

"We know that Petone residents are keen to see the resumption of their unchlorinated, unfluoridated artesian water supply. However, the difficulties experienced are beyond Hutt City's control and we can only wait until the difficulties with the WRC contract are overcome and the bulk water main re-commissioned," said Hutt City Council Water Supply Manager Gary O'Meara.

Hutt City Council will notify the community as soon as WRC provide a revised commissioning date for the bulk water main and artesian supply.

The WRC at this stage have advised they are progressing the project as quickly as possible but cannot currently advise a completion date.

Mr O'Meara said that although the delays in re-commissioning the artesian supply were unfortunate, residents should appreciate that the work being undertaken would ultimately improve the reliability and quality of water supplied to the Petone community.

The WRC bulk watermain supplies bulk artesian water to Hutt City Council's Rahui Reservoir, which distributes the water to the Petone community. The contract to reline the WRC bulk water main was originally scheduled for completion in late April but major difficulties have been, and continue to be, experienced with the lining installation.

Petone has been supplied with a mix of artesian and chlorinated, fluoridated water from the Wainuiomata treatment plant since the contract commenced in late January.

ENDS
For further information please contact:
Kirk MacGibbon
Communications Manager
DDI: 04-570 6940

Website: http://www.huttcity.govt.nz

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