Treatment Plant open day

We’re having an open day at the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant this Saturday 8 August from 1-3.30pm.

Come and see:

• the improvements we’ve made to the plant
• how we treat water to make it safe to drink
• lab staff checking water for bugs
• our new River Recharge Scheme.

The treatment plant is at 26 Reikorangi Road, Waikanae (entrance opposite the quarry). Kids must be 12⁺ years old and accompanied by a parent. Please wear closed footwear and warm clothing. No pets allowed.

The upgraded plant and River Recharge Scheme are the result of years of discussions, consultation, planning and hard work by many people and are part of Council’s strategy to provide a sustainable and affordable water supply for Kāpiti residents.

Our treatment plant - built in the 1970s - is now hugely improved with new buildings, rooms, equipment, pumps and control systems.

The River Recharge Scheme is the first in the country which uses groundwater to top up the river during dry times. The groundwater will be added below the treatment plant during dry times when river flow is low, meaning it won’t enter our water supply.  The scheme is being closely monitored and will continue to be monitored to ensure the river's ecological balance is well maintained for generations to come.

Cost for both projects was $8.56 million.

We have had recognition for our overall Water Supply Project by winning:

• the New Zealand Planning Institute ‘Rodney Davies Project Award’ for innovative and creative excellence in development and delivery of planning projects with construction outcomes
• the Local Government New Zealand Excellence Award for Infrastructure Project of the Year.