Unseasonal summer weather across Southland has contributed to higher demand throughout the water and wastewater distribution networks.
The Invercargill City Council Three Waters team told the Water Committee today that staff working hard behind the scenes to keep the network operating, were the ‘unsung heroes’ of the city.
Throughout January, the team had two waterman bursts, three sewer connection blockages, five sewer main blockages and four sewer overflows, and one stormwater main blockage.
Mayor Tom Campbell praised the Three Waters team for its first class report, although chair Grant Dermody was having trouble with all of the acronyms.
Staff talked about the success of the SCADA system - which allows staff to monitor the city network (and get some sleep, they joked).
“This report wins the awards for the most acronyms,” Grant said. He asked that the word be spelt out in full in the first instance, and abbreviated after that (same as media).
The Three Waters team spoke about the pressures of finding contractors to do the work required for the Water Services Delivery Plan deadline on June 30.
.."because everyone around the country are all competing for the same documentation required in the asset management space,” Matt Keil told the meeting.
The general manager of Water Services said they have made inquiries to see if there is capacity, and have talked to four national suppliers the council has previously dealt with.
Cr Dermody asked that the tenders for the work be circulated to the committee members, so they can keep up to date with the tender process.
Staff assured councillors they will also be kept up to date monthly with any project issues or risks.
With councils currently operating in unknown territory regarding Government reforms, Cr Dermody said they should use that ‘risk’ with the changing legislation, “and call them out on it.”