Preliminary work over the past 12 months has identified possible storage and distribution schemes throughout Wairarapa. This has so far narrowed the possible sites from a large number down to nine, mostly on privately-owned land. The sites are in the following areas:
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Martinborough South
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White Rock Road
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Mangatarere
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Black Creek
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Kiriwhakapapa
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Te Mara
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Te Ore Ore
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Dorsets Road
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Mauriceville West
View a map of the possible sites here.
The ‘Scheme Options Identification & Analysis’ report (summary and full report) is available here.
The report recommended further investigation of all nine sites plus several more possible options in the upper Tauweru catchment area. It also recommended that the concept of including some smaller storage sites on the plains to complement the larger storages in the foothills be explored. These recommendations were endorsed by the project’s Leadership Group in March 2013 after feedback from landowners and the Stakeholder Advisory Group.
Work on the costing of potential schemes is extremely preliminary due to the large number of assumptions and uncertainties at this early stage of the project.
A combination of water storage sites and distribution networks may be the best solution for providing an increased and reliable water supply for Wairarapa. A staged approach to this is likely to be needed.