Methven water upgrade brings ‘end to boil water notices’
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Methven’s new $10m water treatment plant has opened, bringing "an end to boil water notices".
Methven Community Board chairperson Kelvin Holmes said at the official opening of the plant on Friday that it “should be the last of our boil water notices” that have plagued the town.
Ashburton District mayor Neil Brown went a step further.
“Kelvin said 'should'. I’ll say it will bring an end to the boil water notices.”
Methven resident and deputy mayor Liz McMillan will be looking forward to her phone staying quiet next time it rains, Brown said.
The plant became operational on September 21 and passed its first test when bad weather hit that weekend, Brown said.
“The plant worked very well responding to the dirtier water that was coming in, and we didn’t have a boil water notice out the other end.”
It is a landmark project for the community, providing a state-of-the-art facility to serve the Methven and Methven-Springfield water supplies, Brown said.
Through an elaborate series of membranes the plant filters 99.9 percent of the micro contaminants, and water is also disinfected with UV treatment, Brown said.
Methven's water supply is also fluoridated.
The site has two water sources and two reservoir tanks holding a combined capacity of 1140 cubic metres to help manage peak demand on Methven’s drinking water scheme.
Te Runanga o Arowhenua ūpoko, Te Wera King blessed the site using ‘Marty the membrane’, an example piece of the membrane, the Mauri stone for the blessing.
“This thing represents the purpose of what this whole place is about - keeping the water clean for the people, better known as te mana o te wai,” King said.
After the blessing, councillors, community board members, council staff and contractors examined the finished facility.
A public open day is being held today [Saturday] from 9am until midday.
A similar membrane plant for the Mayfield water supply is under construction and due to be operational by May 2024.
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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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.7% Yes
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49.4% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
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