Rural Drinking Water System Needed for Safe, Reliable Supply
Ōpeke Marae, located south of Ōpōtiki, serves a wide whānau network of about 20 papakāinga homes and nearby educational facilities, kura and kōhanga reo. The existing supply combined untreated bore and roof water that failed to meet DWSNZ requirements. Low pH levels and incomplete roof water treatment limited use to the wharepaku only, posing health and reliability risks during large hui of up to 1,000 attendees.
A new compliant system was required to stabilise pH, eliminate microbial risk, and deliver a safe supply for all marae buildings and community connections under the National Infrastructure and Funding Facility (NIFF) and Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Marae Drinking Water Programme.
Modular Rural Water Treatment with pH Correction and UV Disinfection
FILTEC designed, supplied, and commissioned a 100 m³/day modular water treatment plant integrating both bore and roof sources into one compliant system. Pre-treatment included a strainer and pH correction filter to stabilise the acidic bore water, followed by dual-stage cartridge filtration (20 µm and 5 µm) and UV disinfection for microbial control. The plant was configured to treat variable flows while maintaining consistent turbidity and pH levels for distribution to the marae complex.
Smart Integration and Remote Monitoring for Rural Water Systems
The system was engineered to blend bore and roof water sources seamlessly without disrupting the existing community network. Two existing 40,000 L marae tanks were retained and linked with three community tanks for additional capacity. Watervision remote monitoring and Wi-Fi tank sensors enable real-time visibility of levels and alerts for low supply, improving operational efficiency. Infrastructure upgrades included leaf screens and calmed inlets for better sediment control and tank maintenance.
Field Coordination and Servicing for Long-Term Water Compliance
Working with local service providers, FILTEC coordinated on-site verification of buried services and tie-ins to minimise disruption in the remote setting. The project’s remote location, buried services, and limited storage capacity required careful planning and coordination, all managed effectively through proactive fieldwork and adaptable design.
The system design accommodates event-driven demand and limited storage through smart level control and robust treatment capacity. Quarterly servicing and operator training for five years ensure the system remains compliant and well-maintained, supporting the marae’s long-term resilience and future growth.
Community Feedback — A Milestone for Ōpeke Marae
“We’re proud to share that our marae has recently had a water treatment system installed and commissioned by FILTEC. This funded initiative is a significant milestone for us, ensuring that treated water is now safely distributed throughout the marae complex.
Our whānau feel privileged to have been awarded this system, which not only enhances the wellbeing of our marae, our people, and manuhiri, but also reflects a mokopuna decision investment for our future. Although it’s only been a week since commissioning, we’ll definitely get to grips with the new system and will no doubt appreciate the difference it’ll make.”
Jason Kurei, Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau a Apanui, Tūpaika, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāruahine
Compliant Rural Water Supply with Ongoing Community Benefits
Ōpeke Marae now has a fully compliant, automated rural water treatment system providing safe, clear, and pH-balanced water to all facilities. The upgrade achieved full DWSNZ compliance and reduced manual maintenance through automation and remote monitoring. The dual-source design enhances resilience to power outages and seasonal droughts while re-using existing infrastructure for sustainability.
With servicing support in place, the marae and its community now have a reliable, future-ready water supply for everyday and ceremonial use. This project demonstrates how modern, adaptable design and community collaboration can deliver a sustainable water supply that meets both regulatory and cultural needs for the Ōpeke whānau.
