Residents on the Hakatere drinking water supply are being asked to conserve water next week while repairs are under way at their water treatment plant.

Hakatere’s water comes from a 30m well and one of its two pumps has failed and will be replaced. Riser pipes on both pumps will also be replaced.

The work will be done by ACL from 17-21 February and will affect residents at both lower and upper Hakatere.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said Council would keep the water supply’s reservoirs full by tankering water to the treatment plant, but residents were asked to use water only for essential household activities during the repair period. Essential use includes water for showering, cooking, drinking, using the toilet and washing clothes. It does not include things like washing vehicles or filling paddling pools.

Mr McCann said the original steel risers had corroded and would be replaced by PE pipe.

“This is usual in risers of a certain age and we are taking the opportunity to replace them while we put in a new bore pump.”