Average household savings = $230 per year, every year

The successful discovery of two soft water sources for Wanganui was announced by Mayor Michael Laws last week, and has been heralded as one of the most significant discoveries for the city in the past 50 years. He told the assembled media:

"In the four years since elected mayor, I can identify any number of improvements and projects that my council has provided for the Wanganui community.

"The Splash Centre, a revamped airport, the award-winning riverfront boardwalk, the lowest rates increases in the country, the opening of the wastewater treatment plant, the construction of the Upokongaro jetty ... all permanent additions improving the quality of life for residents of Wanganui.

"But nothing compares to today.

"The soft water project will positively affect every urban household and business ... and deliver annual savings of millions of dollars for the community. The estimated household savings will be a staggering $230 a year for every year - $2300 per household over the next decade.

"I make no excuse for making soft water the priority of my mayoralty. I was told that finding a source, and then treating it, was too difficult, too political and too expensive.

"Well ... here we stand today to prove the naysayers wrong: because it is here, it is soft, it is plentiful, it is coming your way, and it will save you over $200 a year. That is some legacy!"

Wanganui residents will no longer have to put up with the damaging effects of hard water as a result of the recent discovery of two soft water sources close to the city's reservoirs at Westmere.

The damage caused by hard water is wide ranging, causing scale formation on hot water cylinders and loss of heat efficiency, increased use of soaps and detergents, damage to clothes and reducing the life of electrical appliances by up to 30%. It has been estimated that this leads to a cost per Wanganui household of $230 per year. The photos show damage caused by hard water.

Through Referendum '06 residents endorsed investigations into soft water sources. In 2007, a district-wide referendum confirmed the community's desire for 'soft water', and a levy upon council rates of $36 was introduced in the 2007/8 financial year. This funded a series of test bores to be drilled at a range sites identified as potential water sources. The successful discovery of two soft water sources will enable soft water to be supplied to the city area, as well as reduce the risks of running out of water in times of drought and heavy demand.

Two bores – named Abelard and Heloise – will be built and the water, estimated to be 2000 years old, will be pumped into the water supply via the reservoirs at Westmere. By mixing the soft water with the existing hard water supply, the city will benefit from a significantly softer water supply. The discovery will also enable a change in the way water supply is managed in Wanganui, moving from a volume based system to one which considers volume, power and treatment levels.

The work that went into this discovery involved using cutting edge technology and innovative and predicative modelling tools to narrow down a potentially vast drilling area.

City water demand

Storage and sources

The new sources will supply on average 35% of volume of water to the city on a daily basis.

Costs of investigation programme for bulk water and soft water supply

Construction of 2 bores and connection to the city water system

Average savings to households
$230.00 per year

Subject to consent timeframes, the soft water supply should be ready for 1 July 2009.

Time is running out for you to have your say in Referendum '08. Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday, December 6. To ensure that we receive your vote on time, please deliver your voting paper to the Council building in Guyton Street. The building will be open between 9.00am and 12 noon on Saturday, December 6, for delivery of voting papers only.

There's something for the whole family at the Picnic in the Park - face painting, bouncy castle, clowns, balloon art, magicians, train-rides and more. Perform on stage in the 12.30 lunch variety show – register on the day.

Bring your family and a picnic basket and show your support for the campaign against family violence.

Picnic in the Park is brought to you by the Wanganui District Youth Council.

On 3 November 2008, the Wanganui District Council approved the Draft Wanganui District Council Cemetery Monument Policy for public consultation. The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy. The objective of the Wanganui District Council Cemetery Monument Policy is:

• To provide standards and certainty for all in relation to monuments and adornments at Council owned cemeteries.

Consultation
Copies of the Wanganui District Council Cemetery Monument Policy and submission forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Services Counter at Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui, and on this page.

The consultation period is from 4 November 2008 to 18 December 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:
Cemetery Monument Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Other methods of delivering your submission:

• Deliver to the Customer Services Counter at 101 Guyton Street
• Fax to the Council on (06) 349 0000
• Email us

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Marie Gorinski at Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001 extn 8066 or email Marie Gorinski.

Submissions close on Thursday, 18 December 2008, at 5.00pm.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Enforcement Officer
Applications close 9 December 2008

Assistant English Teacher to Wanganui's Sister City, Nagaizumi-cho, Japan

The Nagaizumi-cho Education Board is seeking applications for the position of Assistant English Teacher at its Junior High and Elementary Schools for 2009.

Nagaizumi, Wanganui's Japanese Sister City, is a thriving town situated close to Mt Fujiyama and three hours by train from Tokyo. It enjoys a mild climate and abundance of natural beauty, and its main industries include agriculture, medicine and paper manufacturing. Nagaizumi is special to Wanganui due to its enduring Sister City relationship of 20 years.

The period of the appointment will be for one year from 1 April 2009. By mutual agreement the term may be extended for a further 12 months. Preference will be given to applicants with a university degree and teaching experience. However, other interested persons with university qualifications are also invited to apply. A cheerful, outgoing personality and interest in Japanese culture will be important qualities in intending applicants. Single accommodation is available.

Persons wishing to obtain a copy of the Conditions of Appointment should contact Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001.

Interviews for the Assistant Language Teacher will be held during January 2009.

Written applications, together with curriculum vitae and contact details for three referees, should be addressed to:

Governance Services Manager
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Applications close at noon on Friday, 9 January 2009.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Friday, December 5 (4.00pm)
- Consideration of 10-Year Plan policy issues. The meeting is expected to be held with the public excluded.

Council – Monday, December 15
- The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in November and December along with reports direct to Council.

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.

Meeting cancellation – Hearings Committee – Tuesday, December 9
As the applicant has withdrawn the resource consent applications, the Hearings Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, has been cancelled.