Bridge Pa Residents Get Long Awaited Water

For many of us turning on the tap is taken for granted but Bridge Pa residents are rejoicing that they can now access the same crystal clear water enjoyed by the rest of Hastings residents.

Two years ago a record dry summer caused private bores to dry up in about 80 percent of the 300 homes in the settlement, leaving many residents with no water to drink or wash in.

A temporary supply was provided by Hastings District Council, with financial assistance from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Te Puni Kokiri.

Now construction has been completed to get mains supply water to those homes via an extension of the Hastings water supply network from Flaxmere.

After a huge amount of work by locals, Council and Government agencies to secure the necessary subsidy from the Ministry of Health Capital Assistance Programme (CAP) work was able to progress on the detailed design and construction project.

CAP provides assistance towards smaller communities that do not have an adequate water supply, with the balance being met by the local community or councils. Of the $1m project HDC has contributed around 10% of the project cost and provided technical design and project management resources.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says this result shows what can be achieved when communities and Council join together to find a solution to a complex issue

“Having a secure and safe water supply will deliver long-term benefits to the Bridge Pa community.

“Residents will now have a year round reliable supply of high quality water. This has delivered exactly what the Ministry of Health CAP was designed to address,” Mayor Yule says.

Bridge Pa advocates Kevin Tamati and Barney Tihema were among a number of community members who pushed hard for a permanent solution to the issue and are both pleased at reaching this milestone.

“This supply will make a huge difference to our people. Our whanau won’t have to be concerned as summer approaches. This system is a long overdue development and we have Hastings District Council to be grateful to for leading the charge at a national level,” Mr Tamati says.

Council switched the system on just before Christmas but had to wait for the results from water quality tests before announcing that it was available for residents to connect to.

In the next few days property owners will receive advice by letter on how to hook up to the connection at their front gate and Council will provide advice on transitioning from their private bore to the main supply.