New Plant Secures Community’s Water Supply

A major investment in water treatment for Matarangi with the town’s new $5 million water treatment plant being officially opened.

It was deemed somewhat appropriate that as the rain was pouring down outside, Thames Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell, locals, council staff and contractors, were inside looking at new plant. It was equipment which would now not be impacted by storms.

Up until now, the Matarangi community’s water was supplied via a previous water treatment plant vulnerable to high sediment loads. This meant Matarangi was frequently subjected to water restrictions during and after weather events as well as during summer’s visitor surge.

Mayor Peter Revell and Mercury Bay Community Board Chairman Richard Shelford- Woodcock at the opening.

The new treatment plant will help to futureproof Matarangi for generations to come through its improved resilience to weather events, helping reduce restrictions. Newer technology also means it fully meets updated Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules. Water is sourced from Opitonui River.

The mayor made a point of thanking ratepayers in providing the funds to enable the upgrade which would service more than 2000 properties.

He said such infrastructure provided confidence for the likes of developers and people considering living in the community.

“It’s an investment in the health of this community. It’s an investment in resilience. And it’s an investment in the future of Matarangi.”

In recent years, TCDC upgraded treatment plants at Onemana, Tairua, Pāuanui, Whitianga, Coromandel and Whangamatā – Beverley Hills, Wentworth Valley and Moana Anu Anu.

These upgrades involve equipping treatment plants with modern filtration and treatment systems. These include membrane units, new filtration systems, dosing equipment and advanced monitoring tools.

Most recently in December 2025, the new Hāhei Water Treatment Plant was opened. Now, work will begin on construction of a new water treatment plant in Puriri.