Still a problem after 20 years

Sunday the 7 October was another big day for food businesses on the Peninsula.

Business was not helped by the amount of grit and particulate matter which was found suspended in drinking water, restricting visibility to around three inches.

This is not an inviting sight to someone wishing to prepare a high standard of food, and certainly not what we pay our rates for.

Almost 20 years now and ratepayers are still being told varying stories about steps the council water authority is taking to "address the matter".

I and many others are sick of this type of spin which comes out of the mouths of successive management shortly before we hear or read there is nothing the authority can do without more funding.

Restricting the water supply pressure from 120 down to 75 PSI has simply extended the time it takes to fill sinks, baths and washing machines which need a set volume to function.

The lower pressure only delays filling.

The very important job of providing first response to household fires and arson attacks is much harder with less pressure.

Some larger fire hose reels no longer function effectively.

The joke going around, at the expense of long-suffering ratepayers, is that council may be trying to match the water quality to a greying population, and it is not funny.

Operators of businesses are at the mercy of the water supply authority which, in some instances, has referred ratepayers to a local laundry business to fix a problem council caused.

Why would council not realise that the laundry is also at the mercy of the dirty water?

The Council continues to allow the reticulation system to run into the ground.

Instead of management investing our rates money offshore, they should invest in our own infrastructure.

Edward James Umina