Updating the infographic information 

We have updated our infographic to better show the current work that's being undertaken at the wastewater treatment plant site, as we work to reduce the odours that continue to come from the oxidation ponds.

Now that the trickling filter work is entering its final stages, and the new activated sludge system has come online, we're now going to track the health of the oxidation ponds as the better-quality wastewater begins to flow through them.

Over the coming weeks we expect the health of the ponds to improve from 'red' to 'green' (and the odour levels to significantly drop as a result), and we'll reflect this in our weekly updates.

New activated sludge system fully operational

The final part of the interim solution is in place at the wastewater treatment plant, with the new activated sludge treatment system made fully operational.

Head of Three Waters, Helen Beaumont, says the new system pumps wastewater from the converted aeration basins to the clarifiers, which will greatly improve the quality of the wastewater before it begins moving through the oxidation ponds from mid-August.

“Depending on the weather, it then takes another three to six weeks for that better quality wastewater to flush through the six ponds," Ms Beaumont says.

This week's trickling filter progress photo

The work to remove the fire-damaged material from the trickling filters at the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant is entering its final stages.

Wednesday’s drone photo (above) shows there is only about 25 per cent of the material left to remove from the remaining trickling filter, as the contractors continue to make great progress.

New continuous air-monitoring sites and results

We’ve just uploaded the data for three new continuous air monitors that have been set up near the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment plant.

The monitors are to detect the levels of hydrogen sulphide in the Shortland Street, Maces Road and Estuary Road South areas.

We now have a total of six monitored sites, with Bromley School, South Brighton School and Rudds Road already providing us with data that we publish online.

You can view the latest data of all six locations, and an explanation about how to read the information by clicking the link below. 

Council report recommends more targeted approach to community support

A new Council report has just been published that recommends up to an additional $160,000 be made available to provide a more targeted approach to helping those near the wastewater treatment plant.

The extra funding will support more nearby schools and early childhood centres, and help remove barriers to primary health services for people needing those services.

The report recommends this be done by enabling providers and community connectors to identify and support people whose health and well-being continues to be affected by the smells.

The Council will consider the report at a reconvened Council meeting on 3 August 2022. 

The meeting will be livestreamed here.

The week ahead...

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

We plan to publish the results of the house discolouration testing on our website once we have spoken with the homeowners whose houses we tested.

On Wednesday 3 August the Council will consider the report we mentioned above. We'll publish a Newsline story the same day, outlining what the elected members agree to.

We're also working on a new mail-out with information and updates, which we hope to have distributed to nearby residents and businesses by the end of next week.

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.