Households and businesses in a large part of north-east Ashburton, including all of Fairton, will have a short water shutdown on Sunday night to allow important work on the Bridge Street water treatment plant.

The shutdown is from 8pm Sunday (7 September) until 2am Monday, though contractors are hoping to have the work completed sooner.

Contractors will be completing a new valve installation at the treatment plant, as part of an upgrade to the drinking water facility. New UV equipment is being installed, so the plant complies with national drinking water standards.

The affected areas are marked on three maps below.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said the shutdown would affect connections along a water main that ran from the Chalmers Avenue/Bridge Street roundabout along Bridge Street to Seafield Road, east to Company Road and then north to Fairton.

Also affected are properties on Murdochs Road, Keenans Road, Glassworks Road and Taits Road.

“It’s a fairly wide area that includes both residential and commercial, and the whole of the Ashburton Business Estate and Fairton township. Sunday night was chosen because it should be the least disruptive and we’re getting the message out early so people can be prepared.

“Residents may wish to store some drinking water for use during the shutdown period, or fill a bucket with water if they want to flush their toilet.”

During the shutdown, contractors ARC Projects will be isolating the plant to install some valves that will enable the installation of the UV equipment.

After a water shutdown, it is common for air and discoloured water to be trapped in pipes, but this is normal. Residents are encouraged to flush internal taps for several minutes or until all the air and discolouration passes.

People signed up to Council’s free text alert service will be sent a shutdown reminder notice on Sunday morning.

Text your postcode to 4196 to receive free text alerts from Council when important issues arise.

Affected areas are shown in pink: