Reliable Drinking Water for a Rural Northland Community
The Sweetwater Bore community, located northwest of Kaitaia, required a safe, compliant drinking water supply for around 20 homes and local users. Untreated bore water had previously been used for both domestic and livestock purposes, creating contamination risks and iron staining. The bore area lacked fencing and water quality testing revealed elevated iron (0.8 mg/L) and high silica (49 mg/L). The project aimed to separate human and stock supplies, deliver treated water through community fill points, and achieve full compliance with Taumata Arowai and DWSNZ standards.
Modular Bore Water Treatment with Iron and Manganese Removal
FILTEC designed and installed a 100 m³/day modular water treatment system consisting of two treatment sheds and four new storage tanks (120,000 L total). The process begins with raw water storage and calmed inlet control, followed by Greensand filtration to remove iron and manganese, dual-stage cartridge filtration (20 µm and 5 µm), and UV disinfection for microbial protection. Chlorine dosing provides residual safety across the network, while a dedicated community tap supplies unchlorinated treated water for domestic use.
Smart Automation and Community Access Infrastructure
The system includes a community tap, IBC fill point, and tanker hydrant to improve accessibility and resilience for the rural network. Pump and control systems were designed to handle high tanker demand (30 m³/hr at 0.5 bar). Remote monitoring via Watervision and Wi-Fi level sensors provides visibility and alarm functions, enabling proactive management. Prefabricated sheds ensured rapid installation and easy servicing in the remote location.
Field Coordination and Servicing for Long-Term Compliance
FILTEC worked with the Sweetwater Bore Committee and local contractors to deliver the project under challenging rural conditions. High silica levels, limited infrastructure, and the need for bore protection required careful planning and site coordination. Livestock exclusion fencing and runoff management were added to safeguard the source. FILTEC provides ongoing servicing and annual UV maintenance through a five-year support plan to ensure sustained compliance and performance.
Safe and Accessible Rural Water Supply
The community bore water treatment upgrade has delivered a safe, reliable, and fully compliant drinking water system for Sweetwater. The separation of stock and domestic water networks prevents contamination, while dedicated fill points make treated water accessible for households and emergency use. Remote monitoring, generator compatibility, and modular construction provide long-term resilience for rural Northland. This project was delivered under the Rural Drinking Water Programme (RDWP), funded by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP).
