Sewerage scheme's progress

HIMATANGI Beach residents and property owners are to be contacted shortly on progress of the Community Sewerage Scheme and to confirm their interest in connecting to the scheme.

Project Manager, Mike Fletcher, said Manawatu District Council intended writing to all property owners before Christmas on the significant progress made in the past six months on implementing the scheme.

Mr Fletcher said this included obtaining a land use for the treatment works site and resource consents for the discharge of treated wastewater onto pasture land around the proposed wastewater treatment works, which will be located within the forest blocks to the north-east of the township.

Negotiations with landowners for the purchase of the wastewater treatment plant site and the irrigation of adjoining land with the treated wastewater have also been progressed.

Mr Fletcher said on-lot inspections will be undertaken early in the New Year of those properties whose owners had indicated they wished to join the scheme.

“At the time of the inspection, the council inspector will agree with the property owner where the pump station unit and new pipeline to the property boundary will be located,” said Mr Fletcher, “as well as how much of the existing drainage can be utilised and what modifications will need to be made.”

The inspector would also check on whether the power supply was sufficient to handle the pump unit that needed to be installed and what reinstatement works were required.

“Property owners will be required to sign an agreement with council confirming they will pay their share of the scheme cost as well as outlining the council’s and property owner’s responsibilities,” said Mr Fletcher.

A range of payment options will be offered to property owners.

Tender documents have been issued to selected consortia for the design and build contract.

Construction of the reticulation and wastewater treatment plant is expected to start after the Easter 2012 holiday period, with the on-lot works beginning later in the year.