OUR WATER
Source
Pine Harbour Water’s supply is sourced from a sustainable aquifer at a depth of 175m. The water originates from a large catchment area starting from the hill country to the southeast. After filtering down through many layers the water forms the aquifer that flows beneath the pick up point then out into the ocean where it peculates up in the Waitemata Harbour. Having taken approx. 170 years to reach us, the water picks up natural minerals, many of which are believed to be beneficial for healthy living.
This geography and sustainably of the resource, well construction and monitoring criteria has allowed our source water to achieve a Category 1 status meaning the quality is unaffected by surface conditions. The purity of the water allows for minimal treatment while still retaining its freshness and integrity.
Sustainability
Pine Harbour Water is aware of its responsibility to this limited resource. The Aquifer the water is drawn from is distinctive in that it is a flowing resource. An analogy would be rather than a finite underground lake the water is flowing like a river from inland to under the pickup point and then discharging out to sea. One key item identified by Taumata Arowai to reduce water wastage is to meter the supply. The use is constantly measured verus the water produced to alert of any leaks, this is currently at best practice of less than 5% loss.
Compliance
Pine Harbour Water complies with Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules (DWQAR) (Taumata Arowai, 2022) as required by the Water Services Act 2021. With a supply population of over 500, Pine Harbour Water falls into the category of a “large networked supply” under the introduced Taumata Arowai 2022 regulations. Although still relatively small, we are subject to the same rules and compliance regime as the biggest suppliers in New Zealand (e.g. Watercare).
Resilience
Pine Harbour Living’s water source is sustainable and we work with the regulators and technical experts ensuring that there is capacity for the planned growth in the region, furthermore as a part of Beachlands and Maraetai area is unreticulated we endevour to ensure that there is capacity to supply the local water tankers, this is part of the areas resilience specifically under is draught conditions as the Watercare tanker filling station is in East Tamaki which affects the amount of trips the local tankers can do in comparison to a local supply. Watercare’s capacity is also constrained in drought events
Peace of Mind
Recent awareness has been raised around high levels of Lead, Nitrates, and E.coli in water supplies at various locations in New Zealand. Fortunately, due to the Class 1 supply (source water type and depth), no old network hardware, and consistent monitoring, it is highly unlikely any of these would be present in Pine Harbour Water. A range of determinants including E Coli, Total Coliforms, Ph, and Free Available Chlorine are tested at regular intervals. Additionally Ph, Free Available Chlorine and turbidity (clarity) levels are monitored continually.
Technical
The GNS certification found the water has a mean residence time of greater than 172 years
Mineral water is further defined in the Australasian Bottled Water Institute Model Code as requiring a level of total dissolved solids of greater than 250 ppm and with no minerals added to such water. Pine Harbour Living is in excess of 300mg/l.
pine harbour water supply test results for April 2021
WATER HARDNESS
Below is some information from Watercares website
Information about water hardness and how to reduce it at home
All of Auckland’s drinking water sources – dams, rivers, streams and underground aquifers – have different mineral compositions. This mineral content depends on the water’s journey from where it falls as rain to the place where we abstract it and treat it to make it safe to drink.
The mineral content of water stored in dams or abstracted from rivers is quite different from what we see in groundwater sources. Groundwater typically contains higher levels of naturally occurring minerals because of the path it takes through various layers of soil, rock and shell beds before it gets to our bores or wells, where it is extracted for treatment. The water picks up the minerals as it moves through the aquifer.
Minerals typically found in water include calcium, magnesium, sodium carbonates, silica, iron and manganese. The higher calcium, magnesium – and sometimes sodium – content means groundwater is often considered ‘harder’ than other drinking water sources.
About a third of the water used in New Zealand comes from groundwater sources.
Auckland’s groundwater sources fall in the ‘soft’ or ‘moderately hard’ category and are well within the recommended range stated in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. This range is based on guidance from the World Health Organisation.
While naturally occurring, these minerals can build up on domestic appliances and smooth surfaces in the form of ‘scale’. The scale may contain one or a combination of several compounds like calcium carbonate or silica. It may appear on shower doors and tapware, or in kettles and hot water systems..
Frequently asked questions
Can I reduce water hardness at home?
If you prefer your water to be soft, you may want to consider installing a domestic water softener that’s designed to remove both calcium and silica. There are many different systems available in New Zealand from a variety of suppliers. You would need to engage a plumber to install a softening device.
If you do install a water softener, we recommend you leave your kitchen tap unsoftened for drinking water as softeners can add higher levels of sodium to the water.
How can I reduce the formation of scale in my house?
If you would rather not install a water softener, the best way to prevent silica scaling is to dry surfaces like shower doors before the water evaporates. It can also be cleaned with a mildly abrasive glass cleaner. Scale in dishwashers and hot water cylinders can be reduced by lowering the temperature of your hot water system.
Please check with your dishwasher or washing machine manufacturer before adding any products to remove scaling.
e check with your dishwasher or washing machine manufacturer before adding any products to remove scaling.
How can I remove limescale?
One way to descale your kettle is to half-fill it with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Boil the mixture and then let it sit in the kettle for about 15 minutes. Pour it out and then rinse it thoroughly.
To clean your showerhead, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it over the showerhead so it is submerged. Leave it like this overnight and then remove the bag. If your showerhead is removable, you can just submerge the showerhead in a bowl of vinegar.
Please Check the Watercare website for any further information
FLUSH YOUR PIPES
Flushing your drinking water taps is recommended by the Ministry of Health for all households, whether they are on a public or private water supply.
A lot of the water supplied throughout New Zealand is slightly acidic. Acidic water is also known as plumbosolvent water – this means it could dissolve lead and other heavy metals often found in household plumbing fittings.
The Ministry of Health believes that the risk from heavy metals in drinking water is small. However, as a precaution, it recommends that all households flush a glass (500ml) of water from their drinking water tap each morning to eliminate the risk.