Water supply | he putaka wai
Services and activities
The 3 Waters – water supply group includes activities and services related to water supply.
The DCC collects, stores and treats raw water to make it of a standard that is safe to drink. The water is supplied in adequate quantities for drinking and other uses to Dunedin homes, businesses and fire hydrants, for use by Dunedin’s communities and firefighters. It is supplied through a reticulated water system of pipelines that distribute water from treated water reservoirs to property boundaries. Some residents use bore-water, surface water or other sources of water to meet their water needs.
By delivering a reticulated water system, the DCC ensures that every customer connected to the network receives adequate quantities of safe water with a minimal impact on the environment and at an acceptable financial cost.
Community outcomes
The 3 Waters - water supply group contributes to the following community outcomes:
- A sustainable city with healthy and treasured natural environments
- A healthy city with reliable and quality water, wastewater and stormwater systems
- A supportive city with caring communities and a great quality of life.
Measuring performance
| Level of service statement | Performance measure | Actual 2023-24 | Target | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 2025-26 | Year 2 2026-27 | Year 3 2027-28 | Year 4 - 9 2028-34 | |||
The water tastes and looks pleasant and is supplied at adequate pressure. | Percentage of residents satisfied with water pressure and quality | 72% | ≥70% | ≥70% | ≥70% | ≥70% |
DCC provides a water supply that is safe to drink | The extent to which the drinking water supply complies with Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (h) 4.10.1 T3 Bacterial Rules | 48.3%* | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The extent to which the drinking water supply complies Drinking water Quality Assurance Rules (i) 4.10.2 T3 Protozoal Rules | 57.8%* | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
The extent to which the drinking water supply complies with Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (j) 4.11.5 D3.29 Microbiological Monitoring Rule | New measure | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
Service calls are responded to promptly | Median attendance time for urgent call outs: from the time that notification is received, to the time that the service personnel reach the site | 43 minutes | <60 minutes | <60 minutes | <60 minutes | <60 minutes |
Median resolution time of urgent call outs: from the time that notification is received to the time that service personnel confirm resolution of the fault or interruption | 89 minutes | <240 minutes | <240 minutes | <240 minutes | <240 minutes | |
Median attendance time for non-urgent callouts: from the time that notification is received, to the time that the service personnel reach the site | 0.73 days | Within 3 working days | Within 3 working days | Within 3 working days | Within 3 working days | |
Median resolution time of non-urgent callouts: from the time that notification is received to the time that service personnel confirm resolution of the fault or interruption | 1.0 days (1,446 minutes) | Within 7 working days | Within 7 working days | Within 7 working days | Within 7 working days | |
Customers are satisfied with drinking water service (Mandatory) | Total number of complaints per 1000 properties received by Council about: | 11.82 per 1,000 customers | <15 per 1,000 customers | <15 per 1,000 customers | <15 per 1,000 customers | <15 per 1,000 customers |
Water resources are used efficiently and sustainably | The average consumption of drinking water per day per resident | 276 litres per day | <240 litres | <240 litres | <240 litres | <240 litres |
The percentage of real water loss from the networked reticulation system Calculation method 1. Treatment plant production, minus non-domestic, minus domestic, minus known unbilled = Estimated non-revenue water 2. Estimated non-revenue water divided by periods’ treatment plant production = Percentage real water loss | 15% | <20% | <20% | <20% | <20% | |
ROS = Residents’ Opinion Survey
Mandatory = Mandatory performance measures required by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).Levels of service statements and measures that will help monitor progress towards Council’s zero carbon 2030 target shown in bold
* With respect to the drinking water quality assurance rules, DCC has identified the actions required to improve performance against the mandatory targets. Some actions have already been implemented with further actions still in the process of implementation.
Significant Negative Effects
| Group/activity | Significant and potential negative effects | Responses |
|---|---|---|
Water supply The collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water has potential negative effects on the local community. The 3 Waters Strategic Direction Statement and the system planning approach prioritises and plans the resolution of these issues and recognises that some issues can only be resolved pragmatically over longer periods of time. | Location of treatment plants close to residential properties could cause noise and/or odour issues. | Potential negative effects are managed as part of the day-to-day operation of the water supply activity. Preventative maintenance, emergency management planning and operational procedures are in place to limit disruption to wellbeing. |
| Poor drinking water quality can cause sickness in the community and affect the ability to use water for domestic and trade purposes. | Plans to maintain the health, safety, quality and sustainability of existing drinking water supplies are documented in the Drinking Water Safety Plans and Source Water Risk Management Plans prepared and implemented for each DCC supply scheme. | |
| High water supply costs that may affect industries expanding/relocating to Dunedin or treatment upgrades costs being unviable for those ratepayers on low incomes. | Efficient management and maintenance of water supply services is in place. System planning looks at long term strategic investment objectives and outcomes for the optimal cost/benefit ratio. | |
| Water take (e.g., taking water from a river for treatment) and discharges of wastewater from the drinking water treatment plants (e.g., backwash water used to clean membranes) | Potential negative effects are managed as part of the day-to-day operation of the water supply activity. Activities are permitted and regulated by conditions of relevant resource consents, which ensure potential adverse effects are managed at acceptable levels. Chlorine is removed (using a de-chlorination unit) from any discharges from the water treatment plants to control potential contamination from water production. |
Funding Impact Statement and Income Statement - Water Supply