Thursday 2 July

Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant update

Timelapse captures progress

Our latest timelapse video shows the hustle and bustle on site throughout June. This was a busy month for the team with both stone column and pipe installation ramping up. 

We've now installed 1400 stone columns, which means there are just 200 to go before we complete this phase of the project. You'll notice the pace of installation slowed this week as we transition to the next steps. This was a planned part of our construction schedule. 

We're also charging ahead on the pipe installation and have excavated a trench all the way to the plant. The next step is installing the pipe into the prepared trench. This will take a few weeks to complete.

 We've also just finished investigations into the treatment plant's discharge channels (pipes that move wastewater through phases of the treatment process). This enables planning for the next stage of the project including how the newly constructed sludge reactor will be connected to the existing plant. 

Aerators improving pond health

Our new aerators have now been churning away for a couple of weeks and we're really starting to see the benefits in the oxidation ponds. Along with the new aerators we've also put a flow split structure in place, which took some tweaks to get right but is now operating as we would expect.

The flow split structure allows us to make the most of the aerators, and once we have the rest of the aerators on the ponds the whole system will become even more resilient. 

What to expect this weekend 

The pond system is responding well to changes and pond health remains good. We're also seeing positive changes in Pond 1 as a portion of the incoming flow is diverted to Ponds 2a and 2b, taking the pressure off Pond 1.

Staff are monitoring the ponds closely, and if the health of Pond 1 continues, we could move Pond 1 to green on the odour map.

The rest of the ponds are currently operating well and therefore no significant increases in odour are expected over the weekend. 

Hydrogen sulphide dashboard back online 

Our hydrogen sulphide monitors are now back online after routine calibration. This planned maintenance was essential to ensure that the meters perform accurately. We appreciate your patience while we completed this important maintenance work.

Tune in to Monday's Community Board update 

At 4pm this Monday 6 July our staff will provide their regular project report at the the Waitai Coastal‑Burwood‑Linwood Community Board meeting.

This session is an information update only. It’s an opportunity to keep the Board and community informed about the work that's underway.

The briefing will be livestreamed here, and a recording will be available after the meeting. If you’d like to attend in person, the meeting will be held at the Waitai Community Board room on the corner of Union and Beresford streets.

Reminder – check out this video on odour and health

We recently recorded a video with Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton. She answers common questions about the odour from the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant’s oxidation ponds and health.

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.