Update No 5
A leak was identified earlier this afternoon in the 225mm water main about two kilometres south west of Seddon on Marama Road. However Council engineers are still investigating whether there are any other leaks on the network and this would take time.
Marlborough Waters Establishment Chief Executive Richard Coningham said the Awatere Rural water supply network is relatively complex and geographically spread out, so it was important for the engineers to methodically investigate all the variables.
“The good news is we are confident the leak is not under the Awatere River bed, which makes fixing the problem much more straightforward. However we are not through the woods yet and it is still important that people in Seddon and on the Awatere Rural network conserve their water use as much as possible.”
Council has trucked in water to replenish both the rural Awatere water storage tanks and the Seddon water supply tank today. This will continue into the evening.
Awatere Rural residents living south of the Awatere River and Seddon residents are asked to use water only for essential drinking, cooking and hygiene needs and to avoid non-essential use such as watering gardens and washing vehicles. Council will continue trucking water into the area as required and is closely monitoring storage levels. People on the Dashwood scheme do not need to conserve water.
Boil water advice
All residents on the rural Awatere Rural supply must continue to boil their water. Seddon residents are also being advised to boil their tap water as a precaution because trucked water is being used to replenish the Seddon storage tank.
Water should be boiled before being used for drinking, preparing food or beverages, brushing teeth or preparing infant formula. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and allow it to cool naturally before use.
The rural Awatere supply remains under its existing boil water notice, while the Seddon boil water notice is precautionary.
Both notices will remain in place until Council advises otherwise.
Drinking water collection
The outside tap at the Awatere Memorial Hall in Seddon is available for people from rural Awatere who need drinking water. Residents should bring their own clean containers and take only what they need for essential drinking and household use. The water should be boiled as a precaution.
This is the last update for today. Further updates will be provided tomorrow.
