Minimal disruption to water supplies during last week’s storm

High winds and snow battered Hurunui District last week, and it was thanks to some solid preparation and quick thinking that water services to the area were largely uninterrupted.

The Three Waters Team at Hurunui District Council would like to thank everyone in the District for their patience during and after the storm last Thursday afternoon and night, September 17, as power outages disrupted water and sewer delivery systems.

Preparation and quick thinking from the Team ensured everyone in the District experienced minimal to little disruption to their water and sewer systems.

Hurunui District Council Chief Executive Officer Hamish Dobbie said as soon as the power outage occurred in the North East of the district, immediate preparation began to ensure portable power supplies remained obtainable.

The pump stations are spread across Hurunui, and as power outages spread generators were transported to them, to upkeep the water flow.

“Our team worked closely with MainPower to determine the likely links of the outages, and prepared for prolonged outages, should they occur.”

Many of the rural water and sewer pump stations rely on portable generators in times of power outages, so communication and quick thinking is vital.

“The team once again demonstrated their commitment to the cause by working through the night to restore pump stations as the power came back on.”