Council prepare Waikato river for drought disaster
A barge will be moved on to the Waikato River tomorrow (17 April) as an initial step in preparation for very low river levels still forecast for early May, despite rainfall this week.
Hamilton City Council is taking the precautionary step as part of its contingency plan during the current drought in case promised rain does not ease pressure on low flows from Lake Taupo and in the Waikato River.
The Council has been working closely with Waikato Regional Council, other large water users, iwi and health and civil defence organisations to ensure planning and contingency plans are robust.
The barge will be tethered below the Peacockes Road treatment plant in preparation for pumps being installed next week, ahead of possible use in early May should drought conditions persist.
The pumps will be able to draw water from lower in the river than the treatment plant’s current intake, and the water will then be treated at the plant and reticulated to the city in the usual manner.
City Waters manager Tim Harty says: "While rain is forecast, as part of our contingency plan we’re allowing for a worst case scenario in case it doesn’t amount to much and river and lake levels continue to drop.
"At this time, early May is when the lake is forecast to be at low level and when the river will revert to its natural flow. If significant rain does fall in the lake and upstream river catchments this will extend this date further into May."
The barge will be assembled at the Grantham St boat ramp tomorrow morning in preparation for being lifted by crane on to the river around lunchtime, then towed a short distance upriver to the treatment plant.
Water restrictions for Hamilton are presently at Alert Level 2 - alternate day sprinkler use 6-8am and 6-8pm - but may need to be increased to manage water demand in the event the pumps are required.
To date around $15,000 has been spent on the contingency plan, it will cost around $60,000 to get the barge and pumps in situ, and cost around $30,00-60,000 a week to operate.
The low river level contingency plan, developed in 2008 when there were similar concerns, was not required, however in 2010 the barge was put in place, but again not activated as the rains came.
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