Council apology and planting to redress spill

Hamilton City Council will carry out $37,500 of planting and fencing on the Waikato River as redress for the spill from the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant last July.

The sentence was passed down today by the Court, following Council’s early guilty plea to the spill of 112 cubic metres of partially treated sewage sludge.

Commenting, Hamilton City Council Infrastructure General Manager Chris Allen said: “We would like to apologise once again for this spill, and understand the importance to the region and its people of the Waikato River. We have a great respect for the taonga that is the Waikato River, and are pleased that part of our fine will see fencing and riparian planting improvements made alongside it.

“We place high importance on protecting the environment in the work we do as a Council, are committed to doing our utmost to ensure there is no future spill at the Plant.  As part of the investigation undertaken immediately following the spill, we have made a range of improvements, including reviewing processes, practice and systems, additional staff training, improved site stormwater, and employing a new process and planning manager.

“I have every confidence that with the changes we have made and the significant upgrade underway at the Treatment Plant that we will be managing it in line with international best practice.”

A restorative justice approach has been followed by Council, Tainui and Waikato Regional Council to agree the fencing and riparian works, which will be carried out downstream from the Treatment Plant to Turangawaewae Marae. Connection has also been made with Waikato RiverCare, Waikato District Council, Wintec and kaumatua who will be involved in the project. The fencing and planting is expected to get underway from spring next year.
 
Notes to editors:
The Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant processes around 45 million litres of wastewater each day of the year from homes, businesses and factories. The Plant is the largest in the region and one of the largest in the country.

A $20.3 million upgrade of the Treatment Plant, Pukete II, has been taking place at the site over the past five years, with the solids treatment phase of the upgrade happening in this financial year. This will ensure the Plant meets the needs of a growing Hamilton City as well as complying with required resource consent conditions.