All the affected homes and businesses are located on Kāeo's main street, which is also State Highway 10. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf
For the first time in its history, the national water authority has taken control of a private supply and ordered the local council to operate it.
The move comes after the Far North town of Kāeo clocked up 10 years under a boil-water notice and after 30 days - according to residents - with no running water at all.
Taumata Arowai chief executive Allan Prangnell said it was the first time the authority had taken such a step and it had not been done lightly.
"The community has been dealing with a poor water supply for too long and there is a serious risk to public health relating to a drinking water supply," Prangnell said.
"In this case, we consider there are sufficient grounds for action, in light of the 10-year boil-water advisory and the more recent inability of the supplier to provide any water."
Prangnell said the authority had placed the Kāeo drinking water supply, previously operated by Wai Care Environmental Consultants, under statutory management and appointed the Far North District Council to manage it.
Kāeo's private water treatment plant, on School Gully Road, draws from the Waikara Stream. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Privatised in 2000, the scheme supplies water to about 30 homes, businesses and public facilities along Kāeo's main road.
Residents told RNZ the water supply stopped working abruptly on 18 October.
Almost two weeks later, the Far North District Council stationed a tanker on the main street in early November, so residents could fill containers with drinking water.
RNZ previously revealed Wai Care operator Bryce Aldridge had been trespassed from the town's water treatment plant and could visit it only under police escort.
Wayne Mighorst - who owns the land on School Gully Rd where the plant is located - said he had issued the trespass notice, because the water company had not paid rent for seven years.
Aldridge told RNZ he had a document showing he did not need to pay rent, but that was disputed by the landowner.
Meanwhile, Prangnell said the water authority had worked with the supplier since early this year to find both immediate and long-term solutions to Kāeo's water woes.
The council has stationed a tanker in Kāeo so locals can fill containers with drinking water. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The authority convened formal discussions between the supplier and the council on 22 October, but they were unable to resolve the immediate supply issues.
That led the authority to invoke section 83 of the Water Services Act 2021 for the first time, making the council responsible for the supplier's functions and duties.
"The Water Services Act provides a 90-day period to put in place statutory management," Prangnell. "However, following conversations with Far North District Council and the supplier, it was agreed that the council would immediately step in to take over the supply.
"We are pleased that the council can step in with the support of the supplier, and would like to acknowledge both the work of the supplier and of the council to make this happen.
"From here, our focus shifts to supporting Far North District Council to turn the supply back on and then working with the community on a cost-effective, long-term solution by March 2026."
Kāeo is located on State Highway 10, about 30km north of Kerikeri.
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