Safer and more reliable water now on tap for Matarangi

Published on 24 June 2026

The Matarangi community now has access to a more reliable delivery of safe drinking water. 

The Matarangi Water Treatment Plant was formally opened today. It marks one of the last major milestones in a suite of improvements to the Thames-Coromandel District Council’s water infrastructure in recent years. 

Mayor Peter Revell was among dignitaries celebrating the opening and unveiled the treatment plant’s plaque (and is pictured here with Mercury Bay Community Board Chairman Richard Shelford-Woodcock).

The Mayor says the event meant more than opening just a treatment plant. 

“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.” 

Mayor Peter Revell unveils the plaque at the new Matarangi Water Treatment Plant.

The treatment plant, on Matarangi Drive, is designed to supply fresh, safe water to up to 2000 properties. 

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. 

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. 

In recent years, our Council 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. 

More on the upgrades programme can be found here.

Mayor Peter Revell talks at the opening of the Matarangi Water Treatment Plant.

Council staff, contractors, local iwi representatives and other dignitaries celebrate.

Some of the many pipes at work inside the Matarangi Water Treatment Plant.

More pipes as part of the system inside the Matarangi Water Treatment Plant.