Water
FAQs
These FAQs are for properties notified as having concentrations of lead higher than what is allowed in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora recommends that as a precaution, the affected households not use tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food while the source of the contamination is being looked at.
The water is still safe to use for bathing, washing hands, dishes and clothes.
Should I boil my water? No. Boiling the water does not remove lead. Please use bottled water for drinking.
Can I use my coffee machine, soda machine or ice maker? Coffee machines, ice makers and soda dispensers that are connected to the water supply should not be used. Use bottled water for making coffee, ice or soda drinks.
What about my pets or livestock? Pets and livestock can usually drink untreated water. If your pet is unwell, has vomiting and diarrhoea, please contact your veterinarian. Make sure you wash your hands well after handling your pet and use rubber or disposable gloves if you are cleaning up after it.
What is the next step? We are investigating to see whether the source is from within the properties affected - some older homes may still have pipes or taps that contain lead, or from part of the wider network. At the moment testing shows the source isn’t coming from the wider network. If the source is from a household’s private pipes or tapware, the issue will need to be resolved by the homeowner at the homeowner’s expense. If the source is found in the wider network, Council will need to resolve the issue.
This website may help with further questions around drinking water and lead:
Drinking water and lead – FAQs. Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited.
For updates on current Water Notices, please visit our Water Notices page.
Trade Waste
Overview
Matamata-Piako District Council operates community wastewater networks to protect community health and the environment. How well the wastewater network operates is dependent on what is being discharged into it. There are two broad categories of wastes being discharged into the wastewater network being domestic wastewater and trade waste.
Trade waste is wastewater discharged from non-residential properties, and any residential properties with home activities that are discharging wastewater that is not of the same nature as domestic wastewater. Our Trade Waste Bylaw 2008 (amended 2020) lays out the process for managing trade waste.
In 2021, Matamata-Piako District Council joined with Co-Lab Water Services to better implement the Trade Waste Bylaw.
Trade waste consents
Any business in the Matamata-Piako District that discharges trade waste into the sewerage system, will need to comply with Council’s Trade Waste Bylaw by obtaining a Trade Waste Consent.
The purpose of issuing trade waste consents is to ensure that any discharges to the sewer are of an acceptable standard, and to ensure pre-treatment devices (such as grease traps, or oil and grit interceptors) are installed where needed, and that these devices are regularly maintained.
The Trade Waste Bylaw also allows Council to charge businesses for trade waste discharges to ensure the costs of managing the wastes discharged are charged fairly.
Fees and charges
Trade waste consent fees are charged for the administration of consents.
Some businesses, depending on the nature of the wastewater discharged, may also have other charges applied to cover the cost of downstream treatment and disposal of the wastewater discharged.
See our schedule of fees and charges (refer to the Wastewater section)
Applications for trade waste consent
Every business discharging trade waste is required to complete an Application for Trade Waste Discharge .
The information provided in the application process will allow us to access what type of consent is required and what the conditions of consent may be.
If you are unsure if your business requires a trade waste consent, please complete the application form anyway and our assessor can review the information provided and get in touch if needed.
Matamata-Piako District Council is not obliged to accept any trade waste discharge, particularly if this discharge would have a significantly negative effect on the sewerage system.
Enquiries
For further information or enquires please contact a Trade Waste Officer:
Phone: 0800 357 358
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Te Aroha Water Supply
Te Aroha - Your water is safe to drink!
- Tunakahoia intake
- Tutumangao intake
- Waihou River intake
- Pohomihi intake
Amount of water: MPDC are consented to take up to 10,000m3 or 10million litres per day.
Population: 3768 (as at 2016)
The plant’s daily production is equivalent to a population of approximately 20,000 domestic users due to industry water demands.
Your water comes from here:
Number of samples taken: 219 compliance related samples for bacterial compliance– no E.coli detected in the samples
What we achieved:
|
What we didn't achieve:
|
Why we didn't achieve them:
|
How we're addressing it:
|
Te Aroha West Water Supply
For the 2018-2019 compliance year Te Aroha West residents were on a permanent boil water notice, which had been going for many years.
Te Aroha West is now a part of the Te Aroha Water Supply.
- Pohomihi. Number of samples taken: 59 samples obtained– 1 x incident of E.coli detected in a treated water sample, which resulted in a the continuience of the boil water notice for Te Aroha West. The water supply for Te Aroha West has been connected to the new water supply coming from the main Te Aroha Water Supply.
Te Poi Water Supply
Te Poi: Your water is safe to drink!
Amount of water: MPDC is consented to take up to 120m3/day or 120,000 litres.
The number of samples taken: 93 compliance related samples for bacterial compliance – no E.coli detected in the samples
Your water comes from here: Surface water source is the Waiomou Stream.
What we achieved:
|
What we didn't achieve:
|
|
How we're addressing it:
|
Tahuna Water Supply
Tahuna: Your water is safe to drink!
Your water comes from here:
Amount of water: MPDC are consented to take up to 105m3/day or 105,000 (litres)
Number of samples taken: 94 compliance related samples for bacterial compliance – no E.coli detected in the samples
What we achieved:
|
What we didn't achieve:
|
Why we didn't achieve them:
|
How were adressing it:
|
