New water treatment plant for Stratford

As a result of changes to the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards, Stratford District Council is in the process of replacing all three of its water treatment plants.  The $8 million project will be rolled out over
three years.  To meet the legally required time frame, the Stratford plant needs to be operational by July 2013.  The treatment plant at Midhirst needs to be replaced by July 2014, and Toko by July 2015.

The construction of the Stratford plant will be undertaken in two stages.  Stage one sees the procurement of the treatment technology of the plant.  Stage two is the design and construction of the new building and reservoir.  This order was chosen as the technology from different suppliers has different layouts and the building needs to be designed to accommodate the chosen product.

Microfiltration technology will be utilised at the Stratford plant.  This technology is widely used in New Zealand, including the recently constructed Kapuni plant supplying Hawera.

Council is currently in the tender process for stage one.  Council expects to move into stage two within the next six weeks.  Construction is expected to start in late September, to complete the project and start
supplying water from the new Stratford plant by July 2013.  The old plant will be retained for a short period until any teething problems at the new plant are resolved.

Upgrades to the existing plants were investigated but ruled out as there was no financial benefit.