Queenstown Lakes District Council intends to begin work on a $6.3 million upgrade of Luggate’s drinking water scheme three years earlier than expected.
Council acting general manager property and infrastructure Simon Mason said in a statement a tender for the work was on track to go out to market soon, and physical works were anticipated to begin in the middle of the year.
It will provide two new supply bores, access to a new water source, and a new ultraviolet (UV) treatment plant for the township.
Under new rules, brought in by Taumata Arawai in 2022, all public supplies are required to have treatment such as UV at the headworks.
The project was originally intended to start in 2028, but Mr Mason said it made sense to accelerate delivery of the new infrastructure as part of the works to introduce a protozoa barrier (UV disinfection) for Luggate this year.
"The new treatment plant will ensure drinking water in Luggate remains safe and achieves compliance, and the new bores mean we can provide enough water to meet the needs of this growing community.
"The project also includes development of a new long-term reservoir site which will eventually include significantly increased storage capacity as part of future investment in the area," he said.
However, Mr Mason said water remained a precious and limited resource and stressed the importance of continuing to use it wisely.
The work is expected to be completed by December and the new scheme operating some time next summer.
A contractor has yet to be selected.
— APL
