‘Still investigating’ reservoir positioning

Repositioning the proposed reservoir on the Waitohu plateau further back on the site is still being investigated, Kāpiti District Council has told Ōtaki Today.

As of print time (May 8) the council was still looking at various options. No decision had been made, as the council said there was work to do to see what might be viable.

Residents close to the reservoir site were angered at what they said was a lack of consultation about a structure that would be close to their homes and an eyesore.

At a public meeting on March 4 attended by council staff, councillors and community board members, locals said they found out about the proposal only recently.

“It seems like a fait accompli,” said resident Dave Moore.

Deputy Mayor Lawrence Kirby agreed to hold another meeting to update the community. He later said the council was working to improve the way it engaged and communicated with communities, recognising that the pressures of growth added demands on everyone.

The council says there are two main issues with relocating the reservoir. The first is that it must physically stay within the property boundary. The second is that moving the reservoir back (east) requires more excavation as the reservoir will need to be cut back into the hill.

“We need to ensure that any cut and fill does not create an impact beyond our boundaries,” a council spokesperson said. “As was discussed at a recent public meeting, council has committed to re-engaging the community when an alternate plan is developed.”

The council has been investigating a new reservoir for Ōtaki for 20 years. It has been signalled in the council’s long-term plans. The reservoir will improve the resilience and firefighting capability of the water supply as well as support existing and future homes in Ōtaki.

Ōtaki currently has limited water storage and relies on bores and pumps

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to supply most of the community. If a significant problem occurred with a pump or the treatment station, most of Ōtaki would immediately lose water.

The new reservoir would provide at least 24 hours of water storage and would be built to withstand a one-in2500-year earthquake, making it the strongest structure in the area.

The site on Te Manuao Road was selected due to its elevation and proximity to the existing water supply network. The site is also out of hazard zones such as flood plains and earthquake fault lines.

Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council have issued consent for the earthworks for the reservoir and the construction of the reservoir is a permitted activity under the operative Kāpiti Coast District Plan.