Luggate drinking water upgrade moved forward

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has announced plans to upgrade Luggate’s drinking water scheme earlier than expected, with investment to provide two new supply bores, access to a new water source, and a new ultraviolet (UV) treatment plant for the township by the end of 2025. 

The $6.3 million upgrade follows a cryptosporidium outbreak that affected Queenstown’s water supply in October 2023.

QLDC Property and Infrastructure Acting General Manager Simon Mason said Luggate had already been set for supply upgrades in 2028, but it made sense to accelerate delivery of the new infrastructure as part of works to introduce a protozoa barrier (UV disinfection) for the township this year.

“The new treatment plant will ensure drinking water in Luggate remains safe and achieves compliance, and the new bores mean we can provide enough water to meet the needs of this growing community,” Mr Mason said.

“The project also includes development of a new long-term reservoir site which will eventually include significantly increased storage capacity as part of future investment in the area.”

A tender for the work is on track to go out to market with physical works anticipated to begin by the middle of the year.

Work on the water supply and treatment upgrades in Luggate is expected to be complete by December 2025, with the new scheme operating just in time for next summer.

Mr Mason added that water remains a precious and limited resource, and stressed the importance of continuing to use water wisely across the district for the sake of existing and future infrastructure, and the environment.

Main image (File Photo): Luggate's drinking water is to be upgraded.