Track detour as QLDC swaps out UV water treatment kit

Council contractors will next week begin work to install more permanent and larger UV treatment equipment at Queenstown's Two Mile water intake to protect against protozoa like cryptosporidium, the presence of which in the town's water supply sparked a months' long boil water notice last year.

The new equipment will replace a temporary UV treatment set up put in place in response to a compliance order issued to the council in September by water regulator Taumata Arowai, who had identified issues with the way in which water from the location was being treated, including inadequate management of protozoa risk.

The upgrade comes with a $5 million price tag.

In a written statement this morning, Queenstown Lakes District Council property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery says the temporary solution is in place at the Fernhill reservoir, but the new equipment will be located at the existing pump station at the start of the Sunshine Bay Trail.

He expects the changeover to take six months, with the new solution replacing the old by the end of December.

"Once this work is complete, we’ll then be able to redeploy the temporary solution used by Fernhill’s reservoir elsewhere in the district,” Mr AVvry says.

The work is being carried out by Fulton Hogan, with assistance from Veolia.

Mr Avery warns of some disruption for members of the public around the construction site, including noice, vibration, and moving machinery.

First up, he says crews will be investigating the site where the UV treatment equipment will be located, beside Lake Wakatipu, and this work will include clearing several trees and some shrubs before fencing off the area.

A temporary detour will be in place from Monday (June 24) at the start of the Sunshine Bay Trail.

“Given this is a popular walking track for both residents and visitors, it’s important we maintain access while work is underway," Mr Avery says.

"We’ve consulted with Queenstown Trails Trust and will use a short detour to move pedestrians safely around the work site and back onto Sunshine Bay Trail.”