MEDIA RELEASE

Manukau Water opens $9 million Beachlands plant

Manukau City (25 November, 2008) – Manukau Water Limited is today opening a $9 million upgrade of its Beachlands/Maraitai wastewater treatment plant.

The upgrade will see the facility’s capacity increase to provide domestic sewerage services for 10,000 residents in Beachlands-Maraetai, compared with the 5,500 people currently served by the plant.

These improvements will provide environmental benefits as well as allowing for growth in the area.

Manukau Water Limited chairman James Hill said the plant represents a significant investment in infrastructure for the future of the Beachlands/Maraetai community.

The plant incorporates a new activated sludge process that delivers highly-treated effluent. The improved effluent quality will prevent degradation of the receiving water quality in the nearby Te Puru stream and the coastal environment. The upgrade also introduces new processes to separate inorganic matter and grit at the plant, improve phosphate removal and upgrades a U.V disinfection processes.

Mr Hill noted that one of the goals of Manukau Water Limited is to be a sustainable organisation. This means taking care of the environment in which the people of Manukau work and live.

“We are proud of our achievement in upgrading this treatment plant, “ Mr Hill said. “Treatment plants are heavily reliant on natural biological processes. It is very much like a human body. We will continue to monitor this body’s health and undertake the necessary environmental assessments,” he said.

About Manukau Water

Manukau Water Limited is responsible for the management of the public water distribution and wastewater collection systems for the people of Manukau. The company serves approximately 338,000 people living in an area covering 552 square kilometres. It manages infrastructure assets worth nearly $1 billion.

The company was established by its owner, Manukau City Council, as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). The Company continues to be fully accountable to its shareholder through ongoing performance measures and targets.

Manukau Water Limited’s water and wastewater prices are on average the lowest in the Auckland region.
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