Weston – Enfield Water Upgrade

Council engineers have identified cost savings of $1.7million as they move ahead with the compulsory upgrades to drinking water quality at Weston and Enfield.

The solution to meeting the new national drinking water standards mandated by the Ministry of Health ended up being quite simple. Council proposes to install a pipeline from the Oamaru water treatment plant to Weston and Enfield. Not building the proposed $2.7million Weston and Enfield treatment plants saves $1.7million.

By tapping in to the plentiful Oamaru supply there will be ample water for Weston and Enfield to continue to grow. There is not enough water in the Kakanui River for Weston and Enfield consumers to go it alone. Oamaru water already meets drinking water standards and enjoys the highest rating of 'Aa'.

What will happen to water rates with one rather than three water plants? By spreading the fixed costs of the Oamaru water treatment plant over a larger number of consumers, Oamaru water rates will fall. Water rates in Weston and Enfield will be lower (at around $400) than they would have been if the costly separate upgrades had been made.

Council engineers believe the case for these large cost savings is compelling. Work is scheduled to begin towards the end of this year, should Councillors give their approval in the next few weeks.