23 November 2009

Expert advice on water matters

Applying the expertise of a nine-person Technical Advisory Group will greatly enhance the process of finding a water supply capacity solution for the Kāpiti Coast district, Mayor Jenny Rowan said today.

Ms Rowan said the volunteer group of local residents, chaired by former State Services Commissioner Don Hunn, will provide expert advice and commentary to the Council on technical aspects relating to future water supply capacity solutions for the Waikanae, Raumati and Paraparaumu area.

“We’re fortunate to have group members with considerable experience in economics, engineering, science, resource management, project management, public health and legal and cultural matters who are willing to give up their time and knowledge for the benefit of the community,” Ms Rowan said.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Water Project Manager Phil Stroud welcomed the appointment of the Technical Advisory Group. “The group is an important element in our working towards a water supply capacity solution for our district,” Mr Stroud said.

The appointment of the Technical Advisory Group is the culmination of work on the Water Project over many months which has seen the appointment of a Project Manager, short-listing of a technical advisor, iwi and stakeholder engagement and definition of the Project’s two work streams, water supply capacity and water conservation.

He said the next step was to seek the community’s views on what criteria should be considered when looking at options for the water supply capacity. Meetings to discuss the criteria would be held in early December, he said.

Finding a suitable water supply capacity solution for the district is one of two work streams for the Water Project. The other is encouraging water conservation.

“Our water is precious. The community’s goal, as outlined in the Long Term Council Community Plan 2009, is to reduce water use to a peak target of 400 litres per person per day.”

This amount was generous by New Zealand standards, but the challenge faced by the region was considerable, Mr Stroud said.

A number of practical Council initiatives on water are already available to the community, such as the Green Plumber, the Green Gardener, the Eco Design Advisor, the Summer On The Coast programme with its water restrictions, and the Kāpiti Coast Sustainable Home and Garden Show.

The Council is also developing new rules in support of the community’s water goals and, under Plan Change 75, most new properties are now required to have rainwater tanks and/or greywater reuse systems, a regulation which has broken new ground for local government in New Zealand.

Ms Rowan said there are many factors to be considered as Council embarks on realising this region’s water goals.

“The Council is committed to considering all factors and to working with the people of the Kāpiti Coast district to carefully assess the options for our way forward before any final decisions are made,” Mayor Rowan said.

ENDS

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