Property owners on the Methven and Methven-Springfield drinking water supply are being asked to conserve water on October 15 and 16 while new pipes are connected to the town’s water treatment plant on Longs Ford Road.

A new larger and more resilient polyethylene pipe has been laid from the water supply’s source on the north branch of the Ashburton River to the treatment plant.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said the work next week involved connecting one end of the new 3.6km of pipe to the water-collection gallery at the river, and the other to the treatment plant.

“While that important piece of work is happening, we are asking residents and businesses on the Methven water supply to conserve water. That means using water for essential tasks only, like drinking, showering, washing, cooking and flushing the toilet.

“We’re asking people to refrain from activities like washing their cars and irrigating lawns and gardens, and especially not to fill swimming pools. There’s enough water in the two large reservoirs to supply the town, but not if people use it inconsiderately.”

The old pipe that ran from the gallery to the treatment plant was at least 50 years old and needed to be replaced; part of it ran across farmland.

The new pipe has been laid in trenches along the roadsides, with sections plastic-welded in place.

Mr Riach said connecting the new pipe needed careful planning to ensure as little disruption to the supply as possible.

“Our contractors Fulton Hogan will connect the river end on Wednesday 15 October and the treatment plant end on Thursday 16 October, and that will bring an end to the project, which has cost about $767,000.”