More details released of community support package

We're proposing to spend up to $1 million supporting the community most impacted by the stench from the city's fire-damaged wastewater treatment plant.

On Thursday 26 May, the Finance and Performance Committee will be asked to ratify a community support package that'll see financial help and other support offered to those living closest to the plant.

Work happening behind the fences

Our contractors, Southern Demolition, are busy driving sheet piles into the ground (above) in preparation for building the ramp that will allow them to get their heavy machinery to the top of the three-storey high trickling filters.

Once the ramp is constructed, they will be able to start scooping out the rotting material inside the trickling filters. The material will be placed into sealed containers and transported to the Kate Valley landfill.

We also have crews working on constructing the trickling filter bypass pipe (below).

The pipe, once operational, will enable most of the wastewater entering the plant to go through both primary and secondary treatment processes before it is discharged into the oxidation ponds. That should help to improve the health of the oxidation ponds and reduce the odours.

Currently only about a third of the wastewater entering the plant is going through secondary treatment, which is putting a strain on the oxidation ponds, especially as we go into winter when the weather is cooler.

The week ahead...

Next Thursday, (May 26) the Finance and Performance Committee will consider and approve the preferred initiatives to support those of you who are experiencing distress from the ongoing stench. The meeting will be live-streamed here.

We have also just publish the latest air quality findings on our website under the "what we're currently doing" section. These samples were taken on 18 May 2022.

We'll also provide further updates on how the on-site work is progressing as Southern Demolition continues establishing the site so they can begin removing the material from the trickling filters. This establishment process is expected to take a total of three weeks. 

Stay updated

We want everyone to be able to stay updated on our response and recovery from the treatment plant fire, and have created ccc.govt.nz/wastewaterfire so that we can regularly share new information with you.

We've also created a blog on Newsline where we post regular updates.

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.