Rural Drinking Water System for a Coastal Community
Tuparehuia Marae, situated on the Northland coast at Bland Bay, includes a wharekai, wharepaku, and two kaumatua flats, with plans for a new wharenui. The marae previously relied on untreated bore and roof water that failed to meet DWSNZ requirements, with historic E. coli detections and poor taste affecting user confidence.
The community required a robust and low-maintenance rural drinking water system that could blend both sources, remove hardness and arsenic, and protect water quality for residents and large hui hosting up to 200-day visitors and 50 overnight guests. The project was delivered under the DIA Marae Drinking Water Programme through the National Infrastructure and Funding Facility (NIFF).
Modular Rural Water Treatment with Filtration and UV Disinfection
FILTEC designed, supplied, installed, and commissioned a 50 m³/day modular water treatment plant tailored to dual bore and roof sources. The system uses a controlled blending ratio (1 part roof to 1.75–2 parts bore) to manage conductivity, hardness, and arsenic levels.
Pre-treatment includes strainers and a bespoke softener for hardness reduction, followed by pH correction and dual cartridge filtration (20 µm and 5 µm). UV disinfection provides microbial control for a fully compliant supply.
Smart Integration and Storage for Rural Water Reliability
A new 30,000 L raw water tank was installed for source blending, while five existing tanks (80,000 L total) were cleaned, refurbished, and integrated into the system to maximise capacity. Watervision controls and Wi-Fi level transmitters enable remote monitoring, automatic alarms, and on-demand operation with minimal manual input. Roof collection was upgraded with leaf screens and new downpipes to restore capture efficiency. The system’s compact, prefabricated layout allowed rapid installation despite tight access and coastal conditions.
Field Coordination and Servicing for Long-Term Compliance
FILTEC worked closely with local contractors, the Ngātiwai Trust Board, and Keripumps to deliver and commission the plant within challenging site constraints. Remote coastal access and limited power capacity were managed through prefabrication, careful sequencing, and the inclusion of a generator plug-in for power resilience.
The team addressed logistics through field coordination and a phased installation approach that minimised disruption to marae activities. Quarterly servicing and remote monitoring for five years ensure the system remains compliant and performing efficiently for the community’s long-term needs.
Compliant Rural Water Supply Supporting Community Health
Tuparehuia Marae now benefits from a fully compliant, safe, and automated rural water treatment system. Both bore and roof sources are treated to DWSNZ standards, eliminating hardness, arsenic, and microbial risks. The upgrade has improved taste, safety, and operational efficiency while reducing manual effort. The system is future-ready, supporting planned expansion of the wharenui and additional accommodation, and delivers long-term resilience for this coastal community.
