After years of planning and determination, the completion of major upgrades to the Stanway-Halcombe water scheme marks a leap forward for this growing community, with a combination of modern treatment technology and expanded storage designed to withstand extreme weather and keep the taps running.
The 4000-cubic-metre storage reservoir is now fully operational, boosting resilience for residents connected to the Stanway-Halcombe Rural Water Scheme.
Its completion represents the culmination of decades of perseverance by the Stanway-Halcombe Rural Water Scheme Committee, and years of engineering effort by council staff.
Manawatū District Council utilities manager Wiremu Greening says the commissioning of the new reservoir carried significance well beyond the moment, reflecting 40 years of commitment to improving water security in the area.
“This project is about resilience, reliability, and community,” he says.
“It gives Stanway-Halcombe residents confidence in the safety and continuity of their water supply, particularly in the face of future challenges.”
The drive to secure infrastructure improvements intensified after Cyclone Gabrielle struck in February 2023. The severe weather event devastated the Rangitīkei River catchment, washing away about 100 metres of riverbank near the scheme’s intake point.
The loss put the entire water system at risk, damaging the natural gravel filtration and leading to turbidity, or cloudiness, in the supply.
A precautionary boil water notice was issued to residents, underscoring the urgent need for a modern treatment system that could safeguard drinking-water quality.
“In the wake of the cyclone, it became clear that strategic action was needed. These upgrades, including the new reservoir and treatment plant, are a direct response to those vulnerabilities and part of our wider commitment to infrastructure resilience across the district,” Wiremu says.
To achieve compliance with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards, council commissioned the design and build of a new water treatment plant, delivered by specialist contractor Filtec.
The plant uses filtration, ultraviolet treatment, and chlorination to remove protozoa – single-cell organisms that can cause illness – and ensure the safety of the supply.
The facility also houses an advanced pumping system, ensuring treated water can travel efficiently from the river intake to the storage reservoir and on to scheme users.
Completion of the treatment plant means the Stanway-Halcombe Rural Water Scheme now meets all required protozoa compliance standards – a milestone that secures public health outcomes and provides assurance to the community.
Alongside the treatment plant, Manawatū District Council worked with Horizons Regional Council to install a stabilising rock wall along the eroded riverbank.
The new structure reduces the risk of future erosion at the intake point, protecting the source of the scheme’s water.
The construction of the 4000 cubic metre reservoir completes the package of upgrades, providing a vital buffer to maintain supply during periods of high demand, or when turbidity exceeds the treatment plant’s capacity.
This ensures customers are less likely to experience disruption or restrictions, even in extreme weather events.
Manawatū District Council funded a significant portion of this new reservoir through a Central Government grant targeted towards lifting flood resilience in communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The success of the project has also been underpinned by collaboration with the Stanway-Halcombe Rural Water Scheme Committee and local landowners, including the Karatea and Bartlett whānau, who supported construction works and upgrades.
Originally designed decades ago as a reticulation scheme for restricted farm stock water, the Stanway-Halcombe network has evolved over time.
With farmland subdivisions creating more lifestyle properties, the demand for a safe and reliable household supply has grown significantly.
Council says the upgrades reflect this shift in demand while staying true to the scheme’s original purpose of providing essential services for rural residents. With the reservoir and treatment plant now operational, council has lifted its boil water notice, confident the scheme can deliver safe, compliant drinking water in line with national standards.
Wiremu says the project is a model of how local government, regional councils, and central government can collaborate to work with communities to deliver resilient infrastructure.
“This investment is about ensuring residents have confidence in the integrity of their water supply, not just today but for generations to come,” he says.
For the Stanway-Halcombe community, the tap is finally flowing with the security of knowing their water is safe, sustainable, and future-proof.
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