People urged to find out about draft Water Supply Strategy

Residents and ratepayers wanting to find out why Council needs to upgrade its water treatment and storage facilities are being urged to get along to Open Day sessions in Taupo, Turangi and Mangakino next week (11-12 June).

Information is being taken to the public to try and encourage people to give Council feedback on a draft Taupo District Water Supply Strategy. The draft Strategy which was released for public input and comment last month (May) will guide future actions that Council needs to undertake to meet water demand, public health (delivery of safe drinking water), water conservation and firefighting requirements. Written comments need to be returned to Council by Friday June 27.

The draft document looks at:

• why Council needs to upgrade its drinking water treatment and storage facilities
• how reducing our peak household water use could help save money
• what Council is proposing to do to meet future water supply needs and
• outlines likely costs and options for funding the required upgrades

Mayor Rick Cooper says public input is being sought at an early stage. This will help ensure that the adopted draft Strategy contains policies and outcomes that reflect the needs and wants of residents and ratepayers.

“The Open Day sessions offer people an opportunity to talk with officers and decision makers about all aspects of the project in its early stages. We want to try and make sure that people understand what it’s all about and find out whether they agree with what’s being proposed. We’re also looking for suggestions about how the community can work with Council to achieve a targeted reduction in our peak water use,” says Mayor Rick.

Open Day details: 

• Taupo Wednesday 11 June, Taupo Library, midday to 2 pm 
• Turangi Thursday 12 June, Turangi Council Offices 11 am to 1 pm 
• Mangakino Thursday 12 June, Mangakino Council Offices 4pm to 5.30pm

Written comments need to be returned to Council by Friday June 27 either by e-mailing general@taupo.govt.nz headed Draft Water Supply Strategy or posting to Draft Water Supply Strategy, Taupo District Council, Private Bag 2005, Taupo 3352.

For further information and to view the draft Strategy, go to www.taupo.govt.nz