Watercare granted two consents for Waikato River water

Two consents granted by Waikato Regional Council mean Watercare can continue to maximise the amount of water it can treat for Aucklanders now and into the future.

Waikato Regional Council, Watercare, Auckland Council and Waikato-Tainui have signed a relationship agreement, committing all parties to work together to protect the river and the people it provides for in both the Waikato and Auckland regions.

With the river currently above median flow, Watercare already has consents to take 175 million litres a day (MLD) from the river, which is the maximum its Waikato Water Treatment Plant in Tuakau can currently treat and deliver.

An application Watercare lodged in May for an additional 100 MLD has now been granted by Waikato Regional Council. It enables Watercare to take the extra water between May and September (inclusive), and at other times of the year when the river is above median flow.

Waikato Regional Council has also granted the consent under which Watercare can use the 25 MLD shared by Hamilton City Council.

The consent covering the 25 MLD allocation Hamilton City Council is sharing with Watercare on a temporary basis means Watercare can continue to treat up to 175 MLD at the current plant year-round, regardless of the river flow.