Soon Alexandra and Clyde residents will be able to turn their taps on, and the water flowing through their plumbing system from the street will meet the highest standards. 

The existing water supplies for Clyde and Alexandra did not comply with the newly introduced nationwide drinking water standards. 

The Lake Dunstan Water Supply Project (which included installation of a pipeline to carry the water from Clyde to the treatment plant in Alexandra) was consulted on in the 2018 Long-term Plan. 

Three bores on the edge of Lake Dunstan will supply the treatment plant feeding Alexandra and Clyde. 

Installing a new bore and upgrading a second will bring the bore field in line with new regulations. 

The existing bore that feeds Clyde will be upgraded once the treatment plant is commissioned in May. These upgraded bores will be able to pump water to the raw water tank at up to 160L/sec.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) water staff and contractors Fulton Hogan are adding the finishing touches to this significant infrastructure upgrade.

CODC staff and volunteers planted 500 plants into the bunds around the new water tank site near the Clyde Lookout Tuesday (April 19). 

Members of the CODC Water Services Team planting out the bunds surrounding the water storage tank above Clyde

A CODC spokesperson said the benefit of the upgrade would reduce the lime in Alexandra’s water supply, and the upgraded treatment process will ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water.

The project is expected to be concluded and the water treatment plant fully commissioned in May, with May 18 pencilled in for an official first tap turning piping safe, clean drinking water to both Clyde and Alexandra.