Water supply disruption for Carters Beach, Alma Road and southeast Westport as part of trunk main construction works

11 Jul 2025

The water supply to Carters Beach, Alma Road and southeast Westport, bordered by Menzies, Roebuck, Derby, and Stafford Streets and including all serviced areas of Nine Mile Road will be disrupted on Wednesday 23 July 2025 from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.

If severe weather or other unforeseen events arise, the contingency date is the following day, Thursday 24 July.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “This disruption is necessary to allow installation and connection of a major junction on the Queen Street/Roebuck Street corner as part of the new water trunk main construction works. The works necessary at this key junction site are extensive and technical in nature.”

Residents are advised that during this time there may be no water supply to Carters Beach and Alma Road, and low to no water pressure in southeastern Westport, as per the map provided below.

While no water supply at all may be experienced in areas of Carters Beach and Alma Road, council will, as a new initiative, endeavour to maintain a low-pressure supply to those areas via a contingency water storage reservoir, which is situated on high land alongside Alma Rd.

Maintenance of a low-pressure essential supply of treated water means households should have continued access to drinking water and it should allow toilets to be flushed.

Please note, the success and longevity of this contingency supply throughout the period of disruption will depend on affected residents only using this supply for essential requirements and following the advice below.

Leading up to, and during the disruption, council strongly encourages residents in the affected areas to:

  • Use the shower prior to 7:45 am on 23 July
  • Avoid using dishwashers and washing machines
  • Avoid using outdoor taps (for watering gardens or water blasting etc.)
  • Remind their neighbours and visitors about the restrictions in place.

If impacted residents follow these simple steps, their actions will minimise the risk of having no water available at all.

Following completion of the construction works, residents will experience a period of low water pressure while flushing of all new connections and fire hydrants in the affected areas is undertaken.

In the lead up to the disruption period, residents can access information through council’s advertisements in print media, the water notices section of the BDC website, the BDC Facebook page and notifications on Coast FM. During the disruption period, updates will be provided via council’s website, Facebook page and Coast FM.

Council apologises for any inconvenience and thanks residents for their cooperation. If you have any queries, please contact Council on 0800 807 239.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.