Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant update

29 November 2024

Demolition of trickling filters progressing

Demolition of the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant’s fire-damaged trickling filters has started in earnest and quick progress is being made to bring the walls down. 

The photos below were taken on Wednesday 27 November. 

We’re aiming to have the walls of the trickling filters down by Christmas and in the new year we’ll shift our focus to removing the foundations. 

Transition to summer mode

The temporary activated sludge plant is in the process of transitioning to summer mode. Frequent site monitoring and tweaking of operating parameters is underway to ensure it is set up in the best way possible for the summer period.

We're also undertaking an optimisation trial, to ensure that the temporary plant operations are maximising performance. This trial has been underway for a few months and the final results are due early in the New Year. 

Oxidation ponds 

Planned maintenance was carried out on the oxidation pond aerators resulting in a brief period of down-time while essential maintenance checks were completed. There have also been a number of unplanned reactive breakdowns, with the contractor attending the site to rectify these as quickly as possible.

Hydrogen sulphide monitor results 

Monitoring results show the presence of odour being detected at relatively low levels. Site staff are aware of odour and are continuing to undertake site monitoring and altering the processes to try and keep odour to a minimum.

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.