Thursday 13 August

Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant update

Progress continues on site 

This week we don't have a lot of major milestones to report, so we're keeping the update short and letting the photos do most of the talking!

Construction continued on the load transfer platform, while work also progressed on encasing the pipework in concrete.

Our current focus is on installing the dosing manhole (where chemicals are introduced to the treatment process if needed) and laying pipework along the southern side of the site. Completing this work will help free up space needed for the construction of the new activated sludge plant.

Take a look through this week's photos to see the latest progress across the site.

Pipework installation continues. 

Load transfer platform construction underway. 

Pond health, odour and what to expect this weekend 

Pond performance continues to improve consistently, with the additional aerators in Ponds 2A and 2B and pond flow adjustments now settling in very well.

We haven't needed to make any changes to the pond flow for almost two weeks and are very happy with the system’s performance. This is a good indication that how we're operating the ponds is working. 

We are also particularly encouraged by Pond 1, which had previously been lagging in performance. Its results have now improved significantly, with some of the best results we have seen since the fire.

One aerator on Pond 1 remains out of service. Several inspections have been undertaken without identifying the fault, and it is now believed to be a more complex issue involving the cable to the aerator. The contractor is continuing to investigate and work through the repair.

We've also started our midge monitoring programme a month or so earlier than normal. With all the changes we've made to the pond system, coupled with the forecast  El Niño, it's difficult to predict the impacts on the midge season. We're starting the monitoring programme early to understand the situation as best we can.

Stay updated

We want everyone to be able to stay updated on what's happening at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant, and we regularly post new information on ccc.govt.nz/wastewaterfire 

You're welcome to send this update to your networks. If you know someone in the community who doesn’t have email or internet access, please print this newsletter off and pass it to them.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive this e-newsletter they can subscribe online. 

If you have any questions, or would like further information on the project, please call us on 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 or email wastewater@ccc.govt.nz  

Thanks for your patience and understanding. We’ll be in touch again soon.