A Decade of Struggle: Kāeo's Boil-Water Notice and the Trespassing of the Water Operator

For a decade, residents of Kāeo in the Far North have been under a boil-water notice, a stark reminder of the town’s long-standing water crisis. Now, a new twist has emerged: the operator of the troubled water scheme has been trespassed from the treatment plant, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.

The boil-water notice was first imposed in July 2015 due to the presence of E. coli bacteria in the water supply. Despite the passage of ten years, the notice remains in place, impacting the health and well-being of the town’s residents, many of whom rely on the water for commercial purposes.

Wayne Mighorst, the landowner on School Gully Rd where the treatment plant is located, issued a trespass notice against the operator of the scheme, citing unpaid rent for seven years. Mighorst stated that he wanted the council or another party to take over the operation of the plant to ensure the community receives clean water.

Bryce Aldridge, the operator of Kāeo Water, disputed the trespass claim, asserting that he had a document proving he could use the land rent-free. However, Mighorst denied ever seeing such proof and suggested the operator had paid rent to the previous landowner.

Police have been called to the site on several occasions to assist with access to the treatment plant, though their role has been limited to maintaining peace between the parties involved. The operator has been under a self-imposed gagging order until early September, during which time he cannot discuss the progress of the water scheme.

The national water authority, Taumata Arowai, has stepped in to address the situation. Acting head of operations, Melinda Sando, confirmed that a plan had been developed with the supplier to achieve safe drinking water within an agreed timeframe. However, the authority acknowledged that resolving the issue would require significant financial investment and time for installation and commissioning of new equipment.

The Far North District Council has ruled out taking over the Kāeo water supply, stating that it prefers the current operator to work with Taumata Arowai on a solution. The council has not allocated budget for this activity in its current Long-Term Plan and is awaiting further advice from the authority.

With the anniversary of the boil-water notice drawing attention, the community is left waiting for a resolution. As the operator prepares to make a public announcement, the people of Kāeo remain hopeful that change is on the horizon for their town’s long-neglected water infrastructure.