Rarangi · Marlborough · est. 1997
A community-owned scheme reticulating water from the Rarangi Shallow Aquifer to roughly 70 households on the northern end of Rarangi Beach.
The scheme
North Rarangi Water Supply Inc. is an incorporated society of residents that owns and operates the reticulation for the northern end of Rarangi Beach, 15 km north of Blenheim. Established October 1997.
Water is drawn from two shallow wells (7–8 m deep) into the Rarangi Shallow Aquifer, filtered, UV-treated, and reticulated through the scheme. Day-to-day work — meter reading, billing, minor repairs — is handled by a volunteer committee. Specialist water-quality and infrastructure work is contracted to LiquidAction Ltd.
Drinking-water regulations, monitoring requirements and ageing infrastructure increasingly stretch what a small volunteer committee can sustain. The committee is in ongoing dialogue with Marlborough District Council and the water regulator about the scheme's long-term path.
The aquifer
An unconfined coastal aquifer of sands and fine gravels lying just beneath the settlement. A low-yielding source — sustainable, not abundant — shared with neighbouring properties on Rarangi Beach Road, the local golf course, and nearby vineyards.
Use
Up to 100 m³/day under resource consent U170416 (expires 2047)
Bores
Two shallow wells, 7–8 m deep, both metered with dataloggers
Treatment
Multi-stage filter (20 µm → 1 µm), then UV
Storage
110 m³ of central storage + pressure tank
Monitoring
Monthly E. coli testing; arsenic monitored, consistently below MAV
Aquifer boundaries
For residents
Each property has a sign-in. View bills, pay online, see your usage history, and message the committee directly.
Resident sign in →Contact
For billing, faults, connections, or general enquiries. Residents can also message the committee from within their account.
The committee
Specialist water-quality and infrastructure work is contracted to LiquidAction Ltd.