Water cylinder row back in council's court

By Sue Newman November 23 2011

An independently commissioned report has been delivered to the Ashburton District Council, identifying a possible reason for the large numbers of Ashburton's hot water cylinders that are corroding within a year or two of installation.

The corroded cylinder problem has plagued homeowners for several years, but both the council and cylinder manufacturer Peter Cocks Ltd, have produced reports that clear them of any responsibility.
The council's report states that the town's domestic water supply is within the safe zone and the manufacturer's report states that the copper used in cylinder manufacture is pure.
An action group of disgruntled home owners was formed, led by rental property owner Julie McDonald.
This group went out to bat on its own account, determined to find answers.
It employed a legal representative and commissioned and paid for, an independent report.
This has been delivered to all district councillors and senior council staff.
The contents are being kept under wraps, but the Guardian understands that the report does identify a potential cause of the corrosion. It is believed to be silica in the town water supply.
The report was delivered to councillors and council staff two weeks ago and they were given seven days in which to respond.
That response was given, but was simply an acknowledgment that they'd received the document.
Earlier this year, Mrs McDonald gained a commitment from mayor Angus McKay, that he would get to the bottom of the cylinder problem and he asked her to find proof of cause.
The report, she says, is proof.
Council operations manager Rob Rouse said the report was now being independently reviewed by a range of experts and what happened next would depend on the outcome of that review, he said.
"At this point we're only getting comment on the report and it may or may not make any difference to the issue.
"It's not our report so we need to get expert advice before we give out any information, particularly because of the sensitivity of the issue."
The council was well aware of the community concern over the large number of cylinders that had corroded within a couple of years of installation, and had commissioned its own report on water quality and this had given it the all clear for corrosive substances, he said.

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