Latest progress images from this week

Our weekly drone images were taken a day early this week, due to the adverse weather we experienced on Wednesday and Thursday.

Over the six days from Thursday 14 July, excavation of the second trickling filter progressed well, with about half of the fire-damaged filter material now removed.

If work continues at this rate, we expect the trickling filter material removal work will be completed ahead of schedule. 

New continuous air monitoring results published

We’ve just uploaded last week’s data for the three continuous air monitors that we’ve set up near the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant. The monitors are set up at Bromley School, Marine Parade and Rudds Road.

We've also published a new graph (pictured above) that shows the hydrogen sulphide results of the three sites together. This demonstrates that hydrogen sulphide is being emitted from the ponds most of the time, but the results of each monitor depend on the wind direction.

A further three permanent monitors are being installed at Metro Place, Maces Road and Shortland Street, and we’ll publish the results of all six locations once we have a week’s worth of data.

You can view the latest data for the three initial locations, and an explanation about how to read the information by clicking the link below.
 

Illness slightly delays treatment plant commissioning

Staff illnesses have added a week to the commissioning of the new activated sludge treatment system at the wastewater treatment plant.

Head of Three Waters, Helen Beaumont, says COVID-19 and winter illnesses have forced a large number of key staff off work.

“Illness has hit our team hard, and as a result we unfortunately need to add a week to the commissioning phase.

“Commissioning involves inspecting, testing and trouble-shooting each piece of equipment to ensure the process works effectively, then bringing the system online with the rest of the plant."

The week ahead...

Work will continue removing the material from the second trickling filter.

Some people close to the wastewater treatment plant have experienced house discolouration and this week we had expected to receive the findings from the testing that's been undertaken around this. However, these results have been delayed from our contractor due to staff illnesses. As soon as we've received the results and informed the home-owners whose buildings we tested, we will publish these on the website.

Next week a Council report about our Wastewater Treatment Plant Recovery Plan will be published, with recommendations about the next stage of our community support for people affected by the ongoing smells.

While there is a Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 28 July, our report will be adjourned to an additional Council meeting the following week. This is because next week's agenda is quite long, but elected members and staff want to ensure they give enough time to considering our report.

We'll provide a further update on the additional Council meeting in next week's e-newsletter, as well as a link to the livestream.

Stay updated

We want everyone to be able to stay updated on our response and recovery from the treatment plant fire, and we regularly post new information and reports on ccc.govt.nz/wastewaterfire 

We also post regular updates to our blog on Newsline.

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 in advance for your patience and understanding as we continue to work on minimising the unpleasant smells after the fire. We’ll be in touch again soon.