​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Contact

Search

The future of the Ohura Water Supply

Many of the components of the Ohura Water Treatment Plant and reticulation system are aged and need replacing. Due to the significant cost of upgrade to the water network and the declining population of Ohura the future of the Ohura Water Supply needs to be considered. Community consultation and engagement around the future of the Ohura water supply is documented below.

History

Ohura's Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and reticulation system was developed in the 1950s, when Ohura was a thriving community with coal mines, a strong farming community, a railway sidling and, latterly, the Ohura prison. There are no longer active coalmines, rail workshop or supporting community services such as groceries store, butchers and petrol station in Ohura - these are now closed.

Ruapehu District Council took control of the Ohura Water Supply in 1989. Capital expenditure was stopped, maintenance minimised and depreciation of assets was suspended in June 1990.

The Problem

Many of the components of the Ohura WTP and reticulation system are aged and need replacing. The chemical storage shed, chemical tanks and make up tanks require replacement. Other major components will require replacing in the future. The treatment plant can largely achieve bacteria compliance but is not Protozoa compliant. The asbestos cement and steel pipe in Ohura are nearing the end of their useful lives.

The town water supply system has previously been subsidised by other District ratepayers, in anticipation that it might improve, but this has not been the case. The tragedy of Pike River mine collapse and the promotion of clean alternative fuels make economic investment in coal unlikely. Statistics indicate the population continues to decline. The majority of residents are on very low or fixed incomes. This has resulted in people walking away from their land and rating sales have resulted. Much of the land is in a floodable area and cannot be built on in future. Council is currently engaged in looking at water supply options which better align with the current population needs and ability to pay on a long term basis.

Population and People

There are currently 127 connections to the Ohura Water Supply. The replacement value is $2 million and the depreciated value is $1 million (at June 2014). This equates to over $600 every year for each occupied house to replace the system over 50 years.

The community has suggested several alternate water sources at various meetings over the years. The old Railway dam has been suggested. It was dry during the 2013 drought and has been dry on several other occasions since 2005.

  • 2001 - Ohura had 222 people living in the township.
  • 2013 - 141 people living permanently in Ohura.
  • There are approximately 70 occupied houses.
  • 77% of people aged 15 and over in Ohura have an annual income of $20,000 or less.
  • Since 2008, 27 properties have been sold through the Abandoned Land system.
  • Approximately 33% of rates levied on local residents are not paid.
  • Total rates arrears were $189,517 in 2012 (six years of arrears).
  • Council has not allocated all of the costs of the water scheme to Ohura users. The water rates should probably be higher, approximately $2,000 per year.
  • The maintenance costs are estimated to be $204,400 in 2013/14 which is $2,900 per occupied house.

Public Meetings

Links to the following meeting minutes and other community consultation can be found at the bottom of this page

  1. 2000 - Two meetings were held with community and 18 submissions were made on the future of the Ohura water scheme.
  2. 2001 - The community members present agreed unanimously to carry out upgrade to the Ohura Water scheme at an estimated cost of $200,000.
  3. 2005 - The community was evenly split between showing support for keeping the Ohura water supply versus closing it down and putting people on water tanks.
  4. Later in 2005 - Council put on hold the community consultation on the Ohura Water Supply while the Drinking Water Assistance Programme (DWAP) was investigated.
  5. 2008 - Meeting organised by Taranaki District Health Board and RDC. Outcome was to apply for funding to upgrade the Water Supply.
  6. 2010 - Upgrade of the 1957 Ohura WTP electrical equipment took place (at a total cost of $619,353 of which included $194,180 DWAP funding). The community contribution to this project was $32,598.
  7. 2013 - Council resolved to seek the community's opinions regarding the current status of the water supply. A survey undertaken resulted in identifying the following preferred options: - Option 1 - Roof Tanks (54%) - Option 3B - a Flat Water Rate across the District (46%).These options, and further options tabled, are outlined in the 19/08/13 1st Public Meeting - Community information letter.
    Independent and more accurate assessment of the final/total costs involved in installing water tanks was carried out by two local plumbing companies. Based on estimates from this assessment, the cost for the community over all would be in excess of $1million.
  8. 2014 - Quotes provided by plumbers were discussed, as were a number of other issues brought up by the community.

Ohura Water Supply Referendum

On 27 November 2014 residents and ratepayers of Ohura were asked in a binding postal referendum whether they supported, or did not support, the proposal to close the current Water Treatment Plant and scheme that supplies drinking water to Ohura.

The final result for the binding poll of electors of the Ohura Water was that the majority of electors voting in the poll opposed the proposal, therefore indicating that they wanted the current Water Treatment Plant and scheme to stay open.

Where to from here?

Council and the Ohura continue to work toward a resolution for the future supply of water to Ohura township.

Community consultation and engagement around the future of the Ohura Water Supply

Share this

Share this page

Sharing...