Tauranga City Council is joining with the Ministry of Health to recommend that people flush a mugful of water from their drinking water tap each morning before use.
This will remove any metals that may have dissolved from plumbing fittings. Some plumbing fittings allow small traces of metals to build up when the water sits unused in the fittings for several hours. This is recommended for all households – on both public and private water supplies.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin, for the week beginning Monday, March 15, published below.

City Water

Water Supply:

• Parton Road watermain upgrade is continuing and initial shutdowns have occurred. Additional shutdowns to complete this work will be notified by letter drop to affected customers.
• The water main replacements in Pamela Place and Cameron Rd are in progress and will be completed next week.
• The replacement of a pressure reducing valve and installation of a bulk meter is currently underway on Poike Road and this work is due for completion end of March.
• The new Ohauiti High Level water supply reservoir has been successfully tested for water tightness. The reservoir is due to be put into service in the next two weeks.
• Otumoetai Watermain Upgrade - reinstatements in Pillans Road and connecting of mains in Ruston Avenue are continuing.
• Fire hydrant marking and servicing continues in the Papamoa Beach Road area and is due for completion by the end of March.
• Matua watermain upgrade - the main installation in Columba Place is complete and is awaiting testing and connection. Work will commence on pipe upgrades in Matua Rd from Monday 15th March.

Drainage:

• Work to reinstate some storm damage to the overland flow path and pond bank damage off Eagle Street has been scheduled. This will also include de-silting of the pond with the intention to use this material on site where practical.
• Some minor concrete work to improve the walk access track between Rutherford Reserve and Pillans Road is complete.
• Work to repair the stormwater outlet off Chapel Street (near Mobil Service station) is complete.
• Work is completed at Bakels Edible Oils Ltd on replacement and upsizing of a small section of the sewer main within their yard off Hutton Place.
• Work on some wastewater and stormwater manholes in the reserve area below Sapphire Drive was required following some recent clearing of the vegetation in this area
• Clearing of aquatic grass around the stormwater pond edge margins off Oriental Parade /Beachwaters/Domain Road area has been scheduled to start within the next 2 weeks.
• Repair to the reclaimed water transfer main pipeline coating is required in two locations that was identified in a recent survey of the cathodically protected pipeline following recent harbour link bridge work and is scheduled to be completed. A section of newly established garden below the cemetery is one location. Plants and mulching etc will be temporarily moved to allow this work. The other location is in boat ramp car park below the Aerodrome Bridge. Work is scheduled to commence in mid March.
• The Chapel Street treatment plant's wetland pond outlet ports are scheduled for cleaning. These require inspection and clearing from time to time of debris that gets dragged to these ports to maintain the ponds at the desired water level.
• Smoke testing of the Fraser St to Burrows Street trunk sewer in the foreshore area is scheduled to commence on 22 March to suit harbour tidal movement. The purpose of this is to check the integrity of the pipeline i.e. possible leaks or damage.
• There were three sewer blockages reported this week that were attended by the maintenance contractor City Care Ltd. All were minor incidents and not causing any overflow to a water way.

Stormwater Pollution:

• No pollution incidents reported to Council this week
• Re-visits to all automotive dismantler and scrap metal recycling sites were undertaken this week. These follow up visits were undertaken to check the progress of sites in carrying out Council requirements and recommendations following industry wide audits at the end of last year. All sites that had been required to make changes to their sites or work practices and processes had made good progress. The Pollution Prevention team will continue to work with EBoP and the various sites to ensure progress continues.
• A meeting was held incorporating TCC, EBoP, NZFS, NZ Police among others. The potential for pollution of waterways from commercial and industrial fires and also chemical spills was discussed. Response in terms of pollution prevention was reviewed and better communication between various agencies is now being promoted to ensure the stormwater system and waterways are best protected in the event of a fire or spill.

Waiari Water Supply Project:

• Two appeals and two interested parties to appeals remain against the resource consents for the construction and operation of a new water intake and treatment plant to serve the Papamoa urban growth area. The appeal against the land designation has been withdrawn and the designation confirmed. Tauranga City Council is due to attend an Environment Court mediation on 16 March 2010.

Southern Pipeline:

• Work on extending the existing sewer in Maleme Street is complete with the exception of the final reinstatement.
• The first section of pipeline being between Maleme and Memorial is programmed to be tendered in the second quarter of 2010 with construction starting in the 3rd quarter of 2010.
• Work is continuing on detailed investigation for the Judea Link emergency management option.

Parks and Leisure:

• Parks maintenance - staff are going to select a small number of parks that will be maintained over the next month at a lower level of service than normal so that images of the differences can be captured. This exercise forms part of the levels of service review Council is exploring. Normal service will resume once the pictures are taken. Immediate neighbours to the sites will also be advised.
• A large protected Chestnut Tree to be removed from Maungawhare. The tree is in very poor condition and declining rapidly, in fact, it is pretty much dead. Will be removed in the week from Monday 22 March.
• A new walking bridge with ‘handsome' hand rail is now installed at Monmouth Redoubt, opposite the Police Station on McLean Street. The new bridge is wooden, replacing a cracked old poured concrete one which looked to have been there since the days of King Arthur. Worth a walk, shade of pohutukawa and puriri trees on sunny days, and rose gardens not much further along.

City Projects:

• Tender documents for the new toilet block at Cambridge Park go out this week. Cambridge Park is the new name for the old Cambridge Road Tip site.
• Resource consent applications for a new boat ramp and pontoon structure and for lake edge erosion control structures for Lake McLaren were lodged this week.
• Tauranga Indoor Sport & Exhibition Centre: Foundation construction is continuing. 125 cement/soil mixed columns have now been installed. Drainage work is in progress around the exterior of the building. Levelling and compaction of the building platform is underway. Lighting columns have now been installed in the eastern car park area.

Transportation:

• Wharf /Willow Streets: Major road works are underway on Wharf Street. While the work is being done, Wharf Street is reduced to one lane for traffic coming from Cameron Road towards the Strand. The work involves reconstructing and resurfacing the road and installing new kerb and channeling. Additional work includes upgrading the sewer, stormwater, watermains, and some parts of the footpath.
• Girven Road: Resealing work will start this week at the intersection of Girven Road and Gloucester Road. The work is weather dependant and is expected to take five nights to complete. To minimise disruption to traffic the work will be done at night between 6:00pm and 6:00am. There will be traffic management in place and the traffic signal phasing will be altered so please take extra care when driving through the intersection. Expect delays and use an alternative route if possible.
• Kairua Road Reconstruction: Major road works are under way on Kairua Road between number R194 and the intersection with Welcome Bay Road. The work will involve some earthworks to improve bends, reconstructing and resurfacing the road, installing new kerb and channeling, and upgrading stormwater and a watermain. Some disruption to traffic can be expected at times and there will be speed restrictions in place. The work is expected to take about another 8-10 weeks to complete.
• Beaumaris Boulevard/Sterling Gate Drive/Waihi Road Link: Work on the final stage of construction is underway. Construction vehicles are accessing the site from Waihi Road. Until the work is completed, the pedestrian access to the storm water reserve at Beaumaris Boulevard is closed. The pedestrian access between Sterling Gate Drive and Waihi Road is closed during working hours. The new road is expected to be opened in July 2010.
• Takitimu Drive: Resurfacing work is underway between the Elizabeth Street roundabout and the Waihi Road off ramp. The work is expected to take about another three weeks to complete, depending on weather. There is a temporary speed limit in place and motorists should expect delays, particularly at peak times.
• Maunganui Road: Work to reconstruct Maunganui Road between the Hewlett's Road flyover and Concord Avenue will be starting in late March at the Concord Avenue intersection. The main reconstruction work will start after Easter. Some minor preparatory work will be done this week. The project is expected to take about 8-10 weeks to complete. Minimal traffic delays are expected during most of the work but at times delays and/or partial closures of the flyover are possible.
• Coopers Road: Work to remove existing speed humps and replace them with speed cushions is continuing. There is traffic management in place so please take care when driving through the area.
• Watling Street / Tom Muir Drive: Work to remove existing speed humps and replace them with speed cushions is underway. There is traffic management in place so please take care when driving through the area.
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Construction on the Pyes Pa Bypass to link SH29 through to SH36 by the Crematorium is underway. Good weather has allowed the preload material to be removed along the northern end of the bypass. Construction has started with the delivery of roading materials, compaction and shaping of the road surface. Drainage works are also being done at the same time. The new bypass is expected to be open to traffic in 2011.
• Bethlehem Roundabout: Construction of the new roundabout on SH2 at Bethlehem west is continuing. Work is expected to be completed by the end of June. Traffic management and site screens are in place but only minimal delays are expected. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the work site.
• Parton Road: Work is continuing with footpath construction, kerb and channeling, installation of street lighting and construction of the road surface underway. Work is expected to be completed by late May. There will be unsealed sections and temporary speed restrictions will be in place.
• Local Road Resealing: The local road resealing programme is underway and will continue until early April. Generally this work will involve minimal disruption to traffic.
• Andrew Place/Shelley Street: Work to install new storm water pipes is continuing. Some minor disruption to traffic is possible.
• Vale Street: Work to reshape Vale Street between Baden Street and Landscape Road to form an overland stormwater flow path during severe storms is continuing. Disruption to traffic is expected to be minimal. The footpath will be closed on one side of the road from time to time. Please pay attention to signs and take care when driving in the area. Work is expected to be completed by October 2010.
• Temporary Changes to Bus Stops: All Bay Hopper Tauranga buses will stop at, and depart from, Durham Street near Baycourt while road works are underway on Wharf and Willow Streets.

Venues and Events:

Earth Hour – 27 March 2010 - Tauranga has again signed up to Earth Hour, taking place on 27 March along with 40 other cities and towns across New Zealand. Businesses and community members are being encouraged to get involved. A couple of events are being held as follows.

• A candlelit acoustic music night is being held at Edgewater Fan Reserve (in front of the old Kestrel) in Tauranga. The performance will feature local musicians Luke Thompson and Regan Perry from 7.45 - 9.30pm. Come and support the event with a picnic under the stars!
• Bayfair shopping centre is also holding a sustainability expo from 25 - 27 March. The expo includes information to help you make good environmental choices and know where support is available. Visit the Tauranga City Council stand for a free energy efficient light bulb.

Democracy:

Council – Tuesday, March 16 at 1pm

Open Session

• Petition Received Proposed Street Name Change for Vale Street West
• Procedural Motion Process and Advice
• Notice of Motion: 2010 Annual Plan – Savings Target (Reconsideration)
• Closure of Accessway between Sapphire Drive & Harrisfield Drive, Hairini
• Closure of Accessway between Eversham Road & Girven Road, Arataki
• Sale of Water Catchment Land to Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) for Road
• Request to Install a Plaque to Name Walnut Grove at Waipuna Park
• Art Gallery Trust Statement of Intent 2010/11
• Fergusson Park Public Toilets
• Temporary Road Closure - Tauranga Jazz Festival 2010
• Schedule of Documents Executed Under Seal

Airport Committee – Friday, March 19 at Classic Flyers Ltd, Boeing Room, 8 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui

Open Session

• Airport Status Report – February 2010