Milestone for Project Pure

The disposal of waste water to land for the Wanaka community reached a new milestone today.

Project Pure, which is currently in the process of being commissioned, had raw wastewater from the Wanaka oxidation ponds running through its pipes as of first thing this morning.

“This is a really significant moment for this multi-million dollar project. There’s been an awful lot of work and several years to get to the point of flicking the switch,” Queenstown Lakes District Council project manager Martin O’Malley said.

Wastewater is now being diverted from the inlet to the ponds and through the new pipeline and pump stations to the new treatment plant on Stevenson Road, Wanaka Airport.
“Initially the diversion will be temporary in case there is a need to redirect the main flow back into the ponds, but if all goes well then the diversion will be made permanent sooner rather than later,” Mr O’Malley said.

Although people preferred not to dwell on waste water, Project Pure was cause for celebration.
“It spells the end of the practise of disposal of treated waste water into the Clutha River, instead disposing of highly treated waste water to trenches adjacent to the Wanaka Airport. That is a major change in our district and a significant investment in our environment,” Mr O’Malley said.

Today was a critical stage for the project, in particular the new treatment plant would be put to the test.
“We would normally expect there would be one or two issues to iron out over during this commissioning phase, which is programmed to continue to mid February 2009,” Mr O’Malley said.

One of the most common issues that arise around the commissioning of a new plant is odour.
“The design of the plant means that when it is at optimal operation there should be no odour detectable outside of the immediate area of the plant but during commissioning it is possible there will be some minor odour detection,” Mr O’Malley said.

The ultimate test prior to full sign off would be the peak waste water flows provided by the New Year’s Eve ‘influx’.

“If there are any issues, these will be worked through as quickly as possible,” Mr O’Malley said.

QLDC was working closely with the Otago Regional Council and Lakes Environmental to monitor any issues that arose.

Meanwhile work on the Wakatipu equivalent, Project Shotover, was also making good progress.
The Shotover Delta land disposal project, which will end the practise of disposing treated waste water to the Shotover River, was notified in August with 11 submissions received. It was hoped the hearing would be scheduled for the end of this month.
ENDS

For further information please contact Martin O’Malley 027 253 4368.