Sediment in valley’s water

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 5

Sediment in valley’s water

The water supplied to residents of Heathcote Valley will be tested after reports that it sometimes contains a "gungky, sticky” sediment. The sediment had been a problem for many years and had stuck to hand basins and baths. Cr F. R. Chapman told the Heathcote County Council’s works and reserves committee last evening. Cr P. C. McGrail said it also caused problems with irrigation and watering equipment. The Heathcote County Council has an agreement with the Lyttelton Borough Council which supplies water to Heathcote Valley. The County Engineer, Mr D. J. May, suggested that the sediment occurred when the Lyttelton Wells were low.

Water quality should improve when the Lyttelton Borough Council’s new well was in use.

The committee’s chairman, Cr M. J. Taylor, said the situation could not be discussed properly without the relevant information. She asked Mr May to have the water tested and to report on the supply. Reserves

When adopting the last of the council’s reserves management plans, Cr Taylor said the committee could be proud of its achievements

over the last three years.

Plans for the Thorrington Road. Centaurus Road. Remuera Road. Bowenvale Avenue, and Takahe Drive recreational reserves, and the Holliss Avenue. Cashmere Road. Curries Road, and Palatine Terrace reserves were adopted. Cr Taylor said no objection to them had been received, but the plans were flexible, as changes in society led to changes in council policies.

Ferrymead dump

The Heathcote dump, at Ferrymead, could be used for playing fields after it had been closed, tidied up. and left to settle for a few years, Mr May said, in reply to a question'by the county chairman, Mr O. T. Alpers. Mr Alpers said some opponents of the council’s proposal to buy the Bowenvale Valley for a reserve believed the council’s reserves money should be spent on developing the dump, which was to be closed in one year.

Permits Thirty building permits were issued in Heathcote County in November, five of which were for new houses. Thirty permits were also issued in December, of which nine were for new houses and two for flats.