New Oamaru water supply will strengthen resilience during flood events
Published on 09 July 2026
Oamaru households and businesses are being asked to conserve water as the district responds to an active flooding event, highlighting why Waitaki District Council is investing in a more secure and resilient town water supply, Chief Executive Alex Parmley says.
Heavy rainfall has affected the quality of the source water supplying Oamaru. Increased turbidity - the cloudiness caused by suspended silt, sediment and organic matter - means the treatment plant cannot process water at its usual rate while the source remains unsettled.
“Oamaru’s water supply has historically been fed through an open channel, which can be vulnerable during severe weather. We are working to secure and protect the town supply through a new delivery system that is expected to be in place within two years,” Mr Parmley says.
“However, the timing is subject to the detailed design and approval process the Lower Waitaki Irrigation Company and Council are currently working through. Both parties recognise this is a priority.
“The new system will pipe water from a secure pond on the Waitaki Plains directly to the town supply. That will significantly reduce the opportunity for flood run-off to enter the supply and cause the high turbidity that is currently slowing treatment.”
Mr Parmley says the new delivery system is being progressed alongside upgrades to the Lower Waitaki Scheme, improving efficiency, helping manage costs and reducing the vulnerability of the town supply during future flood events.
Mayor Mel Tavendale says she hopes everyone is staying safe and acknowledges the frustration unexpected events such as the recent flooding can cause. She says Council is already undertaking extensive work to upgrade water infrastructure across the district.
“Piping the water for the town supply is about future-proofing the system and reducing risk for the community. Water makes up a significant share of Council’s capital investment, and that investment is focused on safer, more reliable services,” Mayor Tavendale says.
“In the last financial year, $34 million was allocated for necessary upgrades to water supply, with a further $37 million allocated for the 2026/27 financial year. This investment supports upgrades to supplies and compliance with the Water Services Delivery Plan, with most of the capital spend directed to drinking water.”
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How the new supply improves resilience:
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Current open-channel supply
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New piped delivery system
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More exposed to heavy rain, surface run-off and sediment entering the source.
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Water is piped from a secure pond, reducing exposure to floodwater and sediment.
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High turbidity can slow treatment and reduce production capacity during storms.
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Cleaner, more protected source water helps the treatment plant operate more reliably.
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Conserve water notices needed while treatment catches up.
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Improved resilience supports a more reliable supply during future severe weather events.
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Mr Parmley says that until the new supply is built, the community will need to help manage demand during weather events that affect treatment capacity.
“To help maintain a reliable water supply, we are asking everyone to minimise non-essential water use until further notice,” he says.
Residents and businesses are asked to postpone water use outside of essential home and business use.
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz