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Water filling station ready

Thursday 17 September 2009, 7:22AM

By Manawatu District Council

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FEILDING

A POTABLE water filling station has been installed in Feilding by the Manawatu District Council for the bulk supply of water to contractors.

The new facility in Turners Road is now the town’s sole supply point for bulk water supplies and means all permit approvals to take water from fire hydrants will cease from October 1.

Water Manager, Wayne Spencer, said most communities throughout New Zealand were installing bulk water supply devices to enhance protection of the reticulation system and water quality.
“Under the Drinking Water Standards, there is quite a high emphasis on preventing backflow contamination in the water supply,” he said, “and the taking of water from fire hydrants represents a very high risk.”

Mr Spencer said there were also risks in untrained people opening and closing fire hydrants too quickly and the possibility of resulting pipe damage.

The installation also enables council to have a better indication of how much water is being used and for the community to recover some of the costs involved in the supply of water to contractors.

A special key/tag from council will be needed by contractors to operate the filling point and these are available for a $50 deposit fee. The deposit is refundable when the key/tag is returned and any outstanding charges paid.
Mr Spencer said the bulk water supply, to be measured in cubic metres, would start when the tag was inserted into the supply point. The 2009/10 bulk water rate would be $2 per cubic metre, but this was to be reviewed annually.

Letters outlining the details are being mailed to contractors this week.