Work will ensure emergency cover

20 May 2014

Taupo residents who live south of Oregon Drive may experience a drop in water pressure between 10am and 3pm next Tuesday, 27 May due to important maintenance work.

Infrastructure manager Denis Lewis said the work will involve the installation of an isolation valve on the main water pipe which supplies properties south of Rainbow Point. An alternative pipe will continue to supply water but as this has a lower capacity, a drop in pressure is possible, he said.

During the outage Taupo Airport will use water from its onsite reservoir, which will help maintain the water pressure for other users. The work is expected to take two hours, but up to five hours have been scheduled to allow for any unforeseen issues.

Installing the isolation valve is part of Taupo's Emergency Response Plan. Under the plan, the old Rainbow Point water treatment plant was mothballed when the new Taupo water treatment plant was opened late last year.

However in the event of an emergency the Rainbow Point plant may need to be able to be reactivated for use, Mr Lewis said. Installing the isolation valve is part of the planned programme of maintenance to ensure the old plant will remain ready if needed"

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

www.taupo.govt.nz