The design of the Oakura sewerage system has resulted in a national award.

The Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ) has given an award of merit to GHD and New Plymouth District Council in recognition of the project’s outstanding design.

“It’s an award that recognises the technical aspects of such a project and that GHD’s design goes beyond the standard,” says NPDC Manager Projects Mark Hall.

“The judges said they were impressed with GHD’s overall performance, saying it was a well-conceived project in the way that it incorporated the elements of overflow, pumps and storage to minimise operational risks.”

The new sewerage system went live in January 2009 after more than two years of construction.

About 79 per cent of the town’s residences have connected to the scheme.