Cust water likely to remain chlorinated
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Cust’s water supply is expected to remain chlorinated for some time.
In preparing a response to Taumata Arowai’s draft residual disinfection exemption application report, the Waimakariri District Council accepts it may not make any difference.
The council applied for chlorination exemptions last year for its six urban drinking water supplies.
Taumata Arowai releasing its draft report in December, recommending the chlorine exemption in the Cust water supply be declined.
"We don’t expect this will change the decision, but we think this information should be made available to them," the council’s water asset manager, Colin Roxburgh, said.
He said council staff had been working constructively with Taumata Arowai to find a way forward.
The council has been chlorinating the Cust water supply since 2020 as a precaution after upgrading water tanks.
In its draft report, Taumata Arowai identified 15 factors that led to its recommendation to decline the exemption.
Those factors included issues with the water source and the council’s monitoring and modelling were "insufficient".
Roxburgh acknowledged the council had not provided information on its understanding of the viruses in the water supply or how it would treat them.
Taumata Arowai had concluded the ultra violet (UV) treatment proposed was "not a full treatment barrier for viruses".
But the council has highlighted evidence which it believed suggested UV treatment could be appropriate in certain circumstances.
Mayor Dan Gordon said he was disappointed not to be able to offer better news for Cust residents.
But said staff would continue to work on finding solutions to keep Waimakariri’s drinking water supplies chlorine free.
"We know our ratepayers do not want chlorinated water supplies and in our response we have again reinforced our commitment to work with Taumata Arowai to try to prevent that from happening."
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said he was disappointed the council had not found a way to meet Taumata Arowai’s requirements to remove chlorine from Cust’s water supply.
"It is clear Taumata Arowai has given a pathway forward and now it is up to Waimakariri to consult with its ratepayers on a plan to meet those requirements."
The council also has chlorine exemption applications for its other urban water supplies in Kaiapoi, Woodend/Pegasus, Rangiora, Waikuku and Oxford.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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