AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

3 April 2007

Big decisions required soon on infrastructure needs

Decisions on new wastewater treatment facilities for the Auckland region are urgently required by 2008, according to a progress report on the region’s Three Waters Strategic Planning process.

Three waters (water supply, wastewater and stormwater) planning is a region-wide initiative involving local authorities and related utilities working to provide sustainable infrastructure for the region’s growth.

The first strategic directions report, presented to Auckland City Council’s Works and Services Committee, highlights wastewater treatment capacity as the most pressing issue with possible options costing between $2.2-$3.5 billion, based on preliminary estimates only.

Critical to the process was deciding where any new sewage treatment facility would be located.

The three waters study has considered over 20 treatment and discharge options and treatment options have been short-listed to four.

They include upgrading existing plants at Rosedale on the North Shore and Mangere and possible new plants at Taupaki or within the Auckland city limits. Upgrading the existing two plants would cost an estimated $2.2- $2.35 billion.

Securing adequate water supplies to the region is regarded as the next most important issue as demand increases with population growth.

Options facing the region include:

• reducing demand through techniques such as education, re-use and pricing to change consumption habits
•
• importing water from outside the region
•
• increased use of rain tanks and grey water
•
• better management of losses through leaks
•
• restricting supply for non-essential uses during drought periods, and
•
• capturing excess water for storage or pumping back into aquifers
•
New sources of water will be required by 2026 but treatment upgrades need to be in place by 2010 to avoid possible summer restrictions. Watercare, which is leading the strategic planning, is also proposing increased capacity of the Waikato water treatment plant to offset failures in the network elsewhere.

On stormwater requirements, the report suggested issues such as flooding and stream management were better addressed locally while region-wide issues included network consent conditions and the effects of stormwater contaminants.

A final discussion document will be released for public comment in June 2007.

Works and Services Committee chairperson Councillor Neil Abel says the interim report shows the value of a region-wide approach to these issues. “Adequate infrastructure is fundamental to the successful management of the region’s growth and we’re faced with major issues that come with billion dollar price tags.

“We must encourage more people to install high-quality rainwater tanks for washing machines, toilets and outdoor uses. We already incentivise developers who install rainwater tanks with a $1000 rebate on development contributions.”

Mr Abel said individual awareness and responsibility is a major factor in planning for a sustainable future for the region.

Ends

© Scoop Media