Three Waters Committee

The Three Waters Committee works with QLDC to improve Hāwea’s wastewater, stormwater and drinking water.

Committee Objective

To ensure the optimal environmental and economic solutions for the delivery of three waters for Lake Hāwea. The sub-committee was established in July 2020 as means of better focusing and improving liaison with the QLDC in relation to proposed solutions to Lake Hāwea’s non-compliant waste water plant. The mandate of the sub-committee was subsequently expanded to include freshwater and stormwater matters. 

Stormwater issues were pursued in July 2019 by the Guardians of Lake Hāwea (see below reports). It was agreed late in 2020 that the Three Waters Committee will take over Guardian’s role in pursuing outstanding issues for stormwater.

Committee Members

  • John Langley (Chairperson)

  • Derek Crombie

  • Rod McLeod

  • April Mckenzie

  • Don Robertson

  • Peter Ryder

Further information

Please scroll down for more information about this committee’s work.

 

 Latest News

The 3 Waters; Wastewater, Stormwater & Drinking Water

Wastewater

Hawea Wastewater Plant.jpg

Current Hāwea plant is non-compliant and has been for large portions of every year since 2012.

QLDC’s Wastewater Plan - presented to HCA’s Three Waters Sub-Committee, 1st July 2021

Short-term solution: 

Council has advised as follows:

“We are working closely with Stantec to assess options for improving the performance of the existing plant.  A detailed plan for the upgrade is targeted for completion in March.  The upgrade will focus only on technical solutions that can optimise the existing site.  At this stage we are not planning to engage or consult on this work – rather, our priority is to get the project completed as quickly as possible.  We are cautiously optimistic that the work will be completed by March 2022. “

Long term solution:

Originally two options were explored:

a) connection to Project Pure
b) stand-alone plant at Hāwea

Project Pure was originally QLDC’s preferred option. However, we have been advised its back to square one in considering options:

“We are on track to have a confirmed option with associated commercial, financial, and delivery plans completed by the end of this financial year (our financial year runs July to June).  Our timeframes for execution of the project are still to be confirmed and we will update the Association once this is understood.”

QLDC has developed an “engagement plan” for keeping the consulting and keeping the community informed of developments.

Relevant Reports

Stormwater

In June 2019, The Guardians of Lake Hāwea submitted a request for service to QLDC entitled: Mitigation of the adverse effects of Lake Hāwea Township stormwater entering Lake Hāwea.

QLDC agreed with all of the planting solutions and the Thursday Group undertook the plantings.

Two outstanding issues are at Scots Beach and Flora Dora culvert. 

Flora Dora: A solution for the stormwater discharge has been developed (on paper) and is currently being reviewed by the three waters sub-committee

Scotts Beach: A small wetland was suggested for this area. QLDC staff advised they wish to think about it. There has been no further progress. This may be addressed in the proposed review (see below)

October 2020 response to information request:

“QLDC is currently working on a stormwater management plan for this catchment, which will identify if and where stormwater mitigation measures are required, this will consider both the stormwater quantity and water quality.”

Drinking Water

October 2020 Response:
“QLDC is currently undertaking the master planning for Hāwea Water Supply, which will identify what upgrades are required to meet the future demand. The most recent systems performance report confirmed that the water network meets the firefighting requirements and current demand. In 2019, work was undertaken to upgrade two of the four bore pumps in order to provide full redundancy for the system.”

Wider Policy Context

The implementation of  Central/Local Government Three Waters Reform Programme will have significant impact on the management of the above issues and may result in delays to the implementation of some solutions.