Methven water bore plans stall over setback concerns

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Plans to drill for a potential new Methven water supply have hit an impasse.

An exploratory drill site for a potential new water supply had been found but the landowner has pulled the pin.

Council assets manager Andrew Guthrie said the landowner indicated this week they wish to walk away from the arrangement.

He said the advice the landowner received raised concerns around the impact of regulations for a potential water source, being too restrictive on the property's farming operations and a possible impact on neighbouring land as well.

“They didn’t feel like they were comfortable proceeding with that arrangement.

“At the moment we don’t have an alternative site,” Guthrie said.

Councillor Angus McKay said the regulators have put in setbacks distances that do not take into account the depth the water is sourced and any consideration to natural process of cleaning water.

“To me this is a national disgrace that we are asked by regulators and regional council plans to have setback around drinking water standards, yet when we do our best to find the best cleanest water, we are stymied because of their plans.”

Chief executive Hamish Riach said it was an opportunity to express concerns at the regulations “but I put our chances of amending those regulations at zero”.

“We can make our point but in terms of improving the water supply in Methven we will have to go to the alternate proposal which we are working on in parallel to the bore because we won’t, in my opinion, have any luck in getting the regulation changed."

The exploratory bore project was running in parallel with the membrane treatment plant upgrade project to improve Methven’s water supply.

“Being unable to progress the exploratory bore has no impact, either in scope or cost, on the membrane project,” infrastructure services group manager Neil McCann said.

“The membrane project is a comprehensive standalone solution, so a plan B is not required.”

The bore site was chosen by Aquifer Locations Limited, McCann said, at a site where it was believed there was suitable groundwater but also in consideration of council’s desire for it to be close to the existing Methven treatment plant.

“The exploratory bore drilling was to be funded by Aquifer Locations Limited. Council would only incur cost if the bore was successful,” McCann said.

Meanwhile, the $9.4 million upgrade of Methven’s water supply is progressing through the first stage.

The upgrade includes two new reservoirs and a membrane treatment plant.

Concrete foundations for the two large reservoirs have been laid and the steel panels are expected to arrive this month to then be assembled.

Underground pipes linking the new reservoirs to the existing plant and a new future membrane treatment plant to be built nearby are currently being laid.

After the new reservoirs with a combined capacity of 1128 cubic metres are completed, the old concrete reservoir will be drained to allow a comprehensive structural inspection to determine its future viability.

A contract for the supply of the new membrane treatment equipment has been awarded and consultants are finalising designs for how the plant will look.

Construction of the membrane plant is planned to start later this year and could take nine months.