Manawatū ratepayers to contribute $2m towards Ōhakea water scheme

Thursday, 19 December 2019

The water and soil around Ōhakea Air Base are contaminated with chemicals from firefighting foams used there.

A new scheme to pump safe water into 85 properties at Ōhakea will be financed by ratepayers across the Manawatū District.

The Government announced last week it would contribute $10.8 million towards a new water scheme for properties near the Ōhakea air force base, but the project could require another $2m.

The Manawatū District Council has agreed to fund the outstanding costs through a universal targeted rate, charging ratepayers across the district $23 each year, from 2021, to spread the costs.

It is expected the formal agreement will be completed in the New Year, with construction beginning later in 2020 of the bore, treatment plant and supply pipeline.

The water and soil around the air base are contaminated with a chemical found in firefighting foams and the pollutants are expected to stay in the ground for 125 years.

Mayor Helen Worboys said latest reports from the Environment Ministry had indicated the contaminated area was growing as chemicals spread underground.

That could put pressure on the new water scheme, she said.

Manawatū mayor Helen Worboys says the contaminated area is growing as chemicals spread under the ground.

'I hope the Government doesn't think this is a one time payment… They have proved to us that this [contamination] is long term and moving.'

Council chief executive Richard Templer said the new scheme would allow residents to once again grow vegetables and rear animals to eat.

However, the effect on Māori would be long lasting. The contaminants would leak into the waterways for decades, affecting their ability to harvest delicacies such as watercress.

Infrastructure general manager Hamish Waugh said ratepayer money would only be used once the ministry money ran out.

He expected the tanks, pipes and bores to last up to 80 years.

The system would have operational costs, most of which would be met by the air base.

'Impacted residents are supportive of the scheme, though not all will take it up. Some lifestyle residents are likely to choose to rely on rainwater,' Waugh said.

'The new water scheme will provide water treated to a higher standard than the existing private bore water.'

Waugh said the fairest way to pay for the project was to spread it across all ratepayers.

If the council made the affected properties pay for the scheme, they would pay about $3550 each year.

The council could refuse to make a contribution and instead ask the ministry to pay for the full share. However, Waugh said it wouldn't sit well with Environment Minister David Parker.