Trout Centre connect to wastewater system

The National Trout Centre has been granted approval to connect to Taupo District Council’s wastewater network in Turangi.

 

The centre, which is owned an operated by the Department of Conservation, is situated outside the Turangi drainage area which means a request to connect to the sewage system had to be approved by the Turangi/Tongariro Community Board.

 

A request was received in 2008 from the Department of Conservation for approval of a new pumping scheme and was approved at Tuesday’s community board meeting.

 

Sewage from the National Trout Centre is currently trucked to the Turangi wastewater treatment plant which means connecting to the wastewater system will not place any additional demand on the treatment equipment.

 

The National Trout Centre is required to pay a connection fee of $13,749 to Taupo District Council to cover the costs associated with connecting to the network.

 

Plans to expand the educational facilities at the National Trout Centre will be made easier by the new connection. Without this, the centre would have to install a less effective on-site treatment system.

 

Councillor Gary Keepa said the centre is a popular tourist attraction and it made sense for them to connect to the public wastewater network. “Perhaps this will also enable the National Trout Centre to consider establishing an on-site café. It’s a fantastic location and I believe there are sufficient visitor numbers to justify it,” he said.