Update on odours in the eastern suburbs

Kia ora,

We're aware that residents in and near Bromley, Linwood and South New Brighton have continued to experience some foul odours.

This is the latest information we have:

• Environment Canterbury issued a notice of non-compliance (NONC) to the organics processing plant on 15 January 2023, relating to a detection of odour they believe was coming from the organics processing plant on that particular day. This is the second NONC we've received this year, although we believe the odour was very localised.
   
• At the time only one operator was on site, moving green waste from the Metro Place EcoDrop and shredding the material in the processing hall. No tunnels were being loaded out of the processing hall, no screening was being undertaken and no trucks were being loaded with compost to be removed from the site.
   
• We're working with Living Earth and external environmental specialists to formally respond to Environment Canterbury's NONC. We'll also arrange for these specialists to visit the site at the same time that Environment Canterbury conducts spot checks of the OPP.
   
• We are also monitoring the Wastewater Treatment Plant oxidation ponds and the surrounding paddocks where compost is being spread as part of the native planting programme. When this compost is applied, there can be a very localised odour, or at least the risk of odour.

• The duration of this odour is very brief and doesn’t impact residential areas. Environment Canterbury has confirmed compliance with New Zealand compost standard NZS 4454:2005. Therefore, this is a permitted activity and does not require a consent.
   

• The oxidation ponds continue to perform well and remain in good health with the interim treatment process. The ponds aren't emitting elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide, but we're aware a monitor set up on the northeast boundary of the plant is occasionally detecting some H2S when the wind blows from the southwest. Residents near the plant might also be experiencing these odours and we're investigating this further.
   

• We continue to monitor hydrogen sulphide levels close to the ponds. We have published the latest hydrogen sulphide graphs from 1 January 2023 to 18 January 2023 on the wastewaterfire website. You can view this by clicking the wastewater treatment plant link below, and clicking the "combined sites readings" drop-down menu.
   

• We'll continue to keep you updated on the situation as we receive new information.

More information about the Organics Processing Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant recovery can be accessed by clicking the buttons below.

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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.