Like everyone else who uses water from the Methven community water supply, I’m looking forward to not worrying whenever heavy rain is forecast.

That is because Methven (and the Methven Springfield supply) now has a new $10m water treatment plant that can handle water even when it has high turbidity because of bad weather … and that translates to no more precautionary boil water notices.

It’s been tough on the community over the years – for residents, businesses, schools and tourists who have been unlucky enough to strike one.

The new treatment plant, and two new water reservoirs which will help manage water in times of peak demand, represent a huge upgrade for the Methven supply.

I raise my glass of water to the engineers and local contractors who worked hard to complete the plant and install the new membrane in speedy time.

The open day on Saturday morning gives the community a chance to come and see the plant for themselves. It is not often the public has access to such vital infrastructure, so I invite you all to have a look and check out the special membrane filters and other equipment that have been installed.

Saturday’s a good day to stick around in Methven, because you can also call into the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall and check out the emergency response display between 1-4pm. Methven has a volunteer Community Response Team that comes into its own in the event of a natural disaster and the display is designed to raise awareness of what they do.

Other townships in our district have response plans too, and that it a vital part of being prepared.

Methven could be shut off from the rest of the district if the alpine fault erupts, or there’s some other major emergency, and our response team has the know-how and resources to keep the town and its people safe until help can arrive.

Saturday is a community event to highlight what needs to be done in such a civil defence emergency, who is available to help people get ready and put their minds at ease.

There will be presentations from Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency NZ, LandSAR and St John – all the services that are needed in a disaster.

With daylight saving in play, you might even have time to walk in to Sharplin Falls on the new track built by the Mt Somers Walkway Society – and finish with an icecream!