Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant update

25 July 2024

Product trial continues 

Since the Wastewater Treatment Plant fire we've heard from a number of suppliers of technological, biological and chemical products that address odours. 

Three suppliers met the criteria to take part and remain in the trial. A fourth supplier has now also joined the trial. We're about to get the small-scale trials of the products under way.

Oxidation ponds and temporary sludge plant operating well

The temporary activated sludge plant has settled well with the winter weather and is performing well.

All 16 aerators on the oxidation pond have been operating at 100% for the past week. There is no planned maintenance scheduled until later in the year.

Public information session 

A public information session on the Wastewater Treatment Plant is being held at St Ambrose Anglican Church on Tuesday 30 July.

If you come along you'll hear about how damage from the fire has impacted the plant and what we’re doing to keep the plant running and address odours. We’ll also provide an update on the future of the plant.

The session will be facilitated by Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board Chair Paul McMahon, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

When:  Tuesday 30 July 6pm–7pm

Where: St Ambrose Anglican Church, 309 Breezes Road, Aranui, or watch a livestream on Youtube.

If you're unable to attend the meeting a recording of the livestream will be available online afterwards. We'll send a link in the next e-newsletter. 

Hydrogen sulphide monitor results

The hydrogen sulphide (H2S) monitors spread around the local area are not detecting any H2S. This is because the levels being released are very low. At times winds may still carry these very low levels of H2S, and other odours to nearby residential areas but the levels have reduced significantly.

Where to get help

If you need health support, we have information available on our website. This includes information on Pegasus Health's Partnership Community Workers and contact numbers for Healthline and counselling services.

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 

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.