Rural Drinking Water Supply to Remote Communities
Rural New Zealand
Client
Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP)
Plant Capacity
25m³/day – 100m³/day
Technology
Disinfection, Filtration, Chlorination
Water Source
River, Bore, Spring and Rain Water
Quality Issue
Compliance for Remote Communities
Customer Need
Addressing Unsafe Rural Drinking Water Supply
To address unsafe rural drinking water supply in small remote communities, a pilot Rural Drinking Water programme was launched. In New Zealand rural kāinga (villages), marae, papakāinga and kōhanga reo equate to 23 percent of total registered water suppliers not connected to town water supplies.
Six marae across Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, and Great Barrier Island needed water treatment upgrades. The project aimed to boost the capabilities of the local water treatment plant installers, operators, and service personnel while ensuring long-term safe drinking water.
What We Did
Understood Communities' Treatment Needs and Connection to Wai
Over a year, starting in 2021, FILTEC collaborated with Crown Infrastructure Partners and local marae to build six new water treatment plants as the drinking water supplier. Tasks included designing and delivering new systems, training community operators, and providing ongoing maintenance for water safety.
The process began with identifying each marae’s water source and volume needs. FILTEC emphasised creating solutions manageable by rural site owners for basic operation and maintenance.
The six communities drew water from rivers, streams, springs, boreholes, and rainwater. Understanding their connection to ancient puna or water sources ensured proposed solutions complemented natural sources.
Delivered Modular Water Treatment Plants
FILTEC proposed modular water treatment plants tailored to marae needs, housed in compact sheds. Ranging from 25 to 100 cubic metres, these plants suit various water sources and volumes. Designed for easy setup, operation, and maintenance, our modular solutions offer diverse capacities and treatment types.
Each plant includes a leaf screen, first flush diverter (for roof water), break tank, pump, pre-filtration, cartridge filtration, and UV disinfection system. We customise these modular components for each site to address specific water treatment challenges, ensuring efficient contaminant removal processes.
Cost-Effectively Fabricated and Assembled the Plants In-House
Our modular plants were fabricated and assembled at our Auckland-based in-house manufacturing warehouse. This allowed us to produce the required units cost-effectively while maintaining greater quality control. Once completed, the modular treatment buildings were delivered to each marae via a Hiab truck on the road.
With support from our local partners, FILTEC refined the construction methodology and optimized the delivery of the water treatment plants. Our partners also aided in installing the detached building on-site.
The Result
Improved Water Quality at all Six Marae, Making it Safe for Drinking
FILTEC identified the most suitable technology that could be easily and efficiently installed at the first six marae sites, meeting New Zealand drinking water standards. We upgraded the on-site water storage capacity and significantly improved the water quality, making it safe for drinking.
Through close collaboration with hapū and iwi, we gained a greater understanding of the cultural significance of water to these communities. Our local reseller partners played a vital role in the successful delivery of the pilot program, supporting the installation and maintenance of the water treatment systems.
