Wellington Water crew working to get new water pipe in for the Featherston water supply. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
KAREN COLTMAN
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After a storm that took out a main water pipeline, Featherston residents are not getting water from the local reservoir but directly from the Waiohine Water Treatment Plant.
Users are advised to boil what comes through.
The water pipeline that snapped off because the bank supporting it collapsed in the early hours of Friday morning has yet to be fixed. But the section has been by-passed until a new stable position for the pipe can be set up.
By mid-Saturday afternoon Wellington Water completed installing 50 metres of new pipework beneath Boar Bush Gully Road.
“We restored drinking water to Featherston on Friday evening by supplying direct from the Waiohine Water Treatment Plant via a system that bypasses the broken main,” a Wellington Water spokesperson said.
“This will continue while we take the necessary steps to get new pipework in so that water can come from the main reservoir again.
“Part of the work to get the reservoir recommissioned is to fully clean and flush the main reservoir before refilling it and reconnecting it to the town’s network via the repaired water main.”
Because new pipes are being used for the new section, Wellington Water is taking water quality samples to ensure that everything is as it should be.
Wellington Water works in co-ordination with Regional Public Health to determine when the boil water notice can be lifted.
“We anticipate being in a position to lift the notice later this week.”
