Local authorities reach agreement to work together on Hawke’s Bay water supply

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) has brokered a joint meeting to assist the Government Inquiry into Havelock North drinking water.

The joint meeting between advisors for Hastings District Council (HDC), Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) and HBDHB took place on Wednesday (7 December).

District health board chief executive Kevin Snee, who chaired the first meeting, said it was essential and critical for the three organisations to work together not only in terms of the Inquiry and its aims, but also more generally in terms of water supply and the safety of Hawke’s Bay communities.

“It is important our organisations work together to restore public confidence in the water supply. There has already been a great deal of collaboration between our organisations, and the spirit of cooperation demonstrated in the first meeting of this new group was very encouraging. This cooperation will assist the Inquiry."

Dr Snee said a number of issues were agreed:

· The organisations will form a joint drinking water safety working group

· Future meetings will be chaired by Chris Tremain

· The group will work together to:

· Use the HBRC-developed groundwater model to inform the management of drinking water sources.

· Put in place a treatment regime to ensure safety of the Havelock North water supply

· Restore one of the Brookvale bores to make sure sufficient water is available for Havelock North during summer months

· Put in place an updated emergency response plan

Dr Snee said as a result of this cooperation he was confident more progress would be made.

ENDS

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