Whangarei District Council advises that we have had to stop production at the Ruakaka Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Work is underway to recommission production, but due to high turbidity (cloudiness or haziness of the water) from the filters we are having to dispose of the treated water.

At this stage it may take at least the rest of the day to bring the plant back to full production. As a result of this, we are requesting that everyone using our water supply in the Bream Bay area (all of Ruakaka, One Tree Point and Waipu) conserve as much water as possible today and tomorrow.

The Ruakaka and Waipu area is supplied with water from two Water Treatment Plants, the Ruakaka WTP and the Ahuroa WTP. The Ruakaka WTP takes its water from Wilsons Dam and the Ruakaka River. Last night we were taking water from both sources and we believe that we took something into the plant from the Ruakaka River that upset the treatment processes at that plant. Since then the plant has been shut down and we are trying to recommission production as quickly as possible.

Wilsons Dam has been inspected and looks fine. The Ahuroa plant that takes water from the Ahuroa River is operating fine, however we are unable increase production at this plant. We will be investigating the cause of the issue.

Please avoid unnecessary water use, including watering gardens and playing with water outside. For more water saving tips please visit http://bewaterwise.org.nz/#tips

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