Protecting Fairlie’s Drinking Water During High Turbidity Events
Fairlie’s spring-fed water source generally provides good raw-water quality, but it experiences significant turbidity peaks during rainfall. Historically, the supply was only chlorinated, leaving the system unable to consistently meet modern protozoa-removal requirements. Mackenzie District Council required a reliable, future-proofed solution that provided 4-log protozoa removal, improved resilience, and supported growth across both Fairlie and Kimbell. Delivery timeframes were critical, with a strong emphasis on achieving compliance and ensuring the plant could operate reliably during high-turbidity events.
Ultrafiltration Membrane Technology for DWSNZ Compliance
FILTEC designed the new treatment process around Toray ultrafiltration membrane technology, selected for its proven ability to achieve the 4-log protozoa reduction required for regulatory compliance. The system was engineered to operate reliably during turbidity events, providing stable performance and high recovery. The treatment building and hydraulic layout were configured to allow future expansion to 4,100 m³/day, supporting the Council’s long-term planning and resilience objectives. This ultrafiltration membrane technology forms the core of Fairlie’s modern drinking water protection barrier.
Integrated Delivery and Chlorine Dosing Upgrades
FILTEC delivered the full mechanical, electrical, civil, and process integration required for the new treatment facility. This included installation of the ultrafiltration system, a new chlorination process to provide secondary disinfection, and new coagulation and chemical dosing infrastructure. Two 1,000 m³ IL4-rated steel reservoirs, treatment ponds, interconnecting pipelines, access improvements, and foundations were completed in collaboration with local subcontractors. Prefabrication of mechanical assemblies in FILTEC’s Auckland workshop improved build quality and reduced onsite installation time.
Provided Operator Training and Long-Term Support
FILTEC performed all commissioning activities, verifying membrane integrity, control logic, chemical dosing systems, and treated water performance under DWSNZ requirements. Comprehensive operator training was provided to ensure smooth adoption of membrane technology and the upgraded chlorination process. With locally based South Island service technicians, FILTEC continues to support ongoing optimisation, troubleshooting, and maintenance, giving Mackenzie District Council confidence in long-term operational reliability.
A Compliant, Resilient Drinking Water Supply for Fairlie
The upgraded Fairlie water treatment plant now provides a resilient, fully compliant drinking water supply capable of managing high turbidity events while achieving 4-log protozoa removal. The combination of ultrafiltration and improved chlorination has strengthened water safety for Fairlie and Kimbell, while the plant’s modular design ensures future capacity increases can be easily accommodated. With modern automation and ongoing service support, the community now benefits from a robust, future-proofed treatment system that will deliver safe, high-quality drinking water for decades.
