MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release, 4 February 2008
Wastewater to be hot topic for next few years
Expect to hear a lot about the upgrade of Gisborne city’s wastewater over the next three years.
That’s how long it will take before the new wastewater treatment plant off Aerodrome Road begins operation. Before then
Gisborne District Council staff and CH2M Beca (Beca) consultants will be designing and putting into action the various
components of the city’s biggest infrastructure project in 40 years.
By the end of December 2010 the city’s wastewater will be screened and treated through a biological trickling filter
plant before flowing to sea via the existing 1.8km marine outfall pipe. The wastewater is currently only screened.
The multi-million dollar project can’t happen fast enough for Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon.
“We all want what is best for Gisborne. Cleaner water in the bay not only means a better environment for everyone to
live, work and play. It also means that everyone visiting or living here has more opportunity to do what they enjoy and
enjoy what they do.
“Our wastewater system must work in a sustainable way that is environmentally and culturally acceptable. We want to get
the best value for money without compromising the project.”
Beca’s engineering team has nearly completed the pre-design phase and expects to begin the eight-month detailed design
phase in April. Construction contracts will be awarded by mid-2009 with stage 1 construction completed by late 2010. The
second stage of solids separation, treatment and disinfection works will be commissioned by around 2012.
The project’s most visible part will be the new wastewater treatment plant off Aerodrome Road. Less visible will be the
reconfiguring and redesign of infrastructure to meet the conditions of the 35-year resource consents, approved by the
Minister for the Environment in September 2007.
Conditions include wastewater network improvements to limit infiltration and illegal storm water connections within the
sewerage catchment; the separation of industrial wastewater and investigations into its reuse, minimisation and further
treatment; the elimination of visual “plumes” of wastewater in the bay; and research into alternative use and disposal
options for treated wastewater, including investigating sustainable sludge management and disposal.
Some consent conditions have already been met. These include the establishment of a Wastewater Management Committee, the
inaugural meeting of which will be held on 20 February, and the membership of the Independent Review Panel, yet to be
confirmed.
ENDS