Akaroa Wastewater Scheme
We’re seeking your feedback on five options for the beneficial reuse, treatment or disposal of reclaimed water from a new wastewater treatment plant planned for Akaroa.
This project involves five options for the beneficial reuse, treatment or disposal of reclaimed water from a new wastewater treatment plant planned for Akaroa.
We’re seeking your feedback on five options for the beneficial reuse, treatment or disposal of reclaimed water from a new wastewater treatment plant planned for Akaroa. Reclaimed water is wastewater (sewage) that has been treated to remove solids and other impurities to the point where it can safely be reused by the public for non-potable (non-drinking) uses, such as watering public parks and flushing toilets.
Background
Christchurch City Council resolved in 2011 to close the wastewater treatment plant at Takapuneke and its disposal pipeline to the harbour. Currently, the wastewater is discharged into Redhouse Bay via a 100 metre long pipeline. The Council has budgeted $33 million in its Long-Term Plan to upgrade the Akaroa Wastewater Scheme, including upgrading wastewater mains and three existing pump stations, and to build a new pump station, a new wastewater treatment plant and a new discharge system for reclaimed water. The consent for the existing wastewater treatment plant at Takapuneke expires in 2020.
In 2015, the Council obtained resource consents to build and operate a new Akaroa Wastewater Treatment Plant on Old Coach Road and a new pump station in the boat park at Childrens Bay, and to upgrade wastewater mains and three existing pump stations.
However, the Council’s applications for resource consents to construct a new pipe outfall to Akaroa Harbour, and discharge reclaimed water via that pipe outfall, were declined. Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991, applications for discharge to water must establish that alternatives have been investigated and reasonably discounted. The Hearing Commissioners considered that the Council had not satisfied this requirement, and that the cultural concerns of Ngai Tahu regarding avoiding discharge to water had not been adequately addressed.
The Council lodged an appeal against the decline of the resource consent for discharge into the harbour but has left that appeal on hold while it again investigates alternatives.
The options
After much research, the Council is now consulting on five options:
- Irrigation of trees or pasture in Robinsons Bay
- Irrigation of trees or pasture at Pompeys Pillar
- Irrigation of trees or pasture in Takamatua Valley, in combination with another area
- Non-potable re-use in Akaroa, in combination with another option
- Disposal via a new outfall pipeline to the mid-harbour (the original proposal for which consent was sought.
You’ll find more information about this project and the options in the consultation booklet.
The project web page contains additional information about the project and the options considered, and includes all the technical reports and the consent application for the harbour outfall.
The purpose of the Akaroa wastewater scheme is to provide Akaroa with a suitable means of treating and reusing or discharging its wastewater.
The Council will be making a Local Government Act (LGA) decision on which reclaimed water disposal option to pursue. It must take into account social, cultural and economic interests; the option must be efficient, effective and appropriate; and it must be consentable as sustainable management under the Resource Management Act (RMA) Discharge to water is not sustainable management under the RMA unless land-based options have been adequately investigated and reasonably discounted.
The Council has not chosen a preferred option but considers some discharge to land options to be more efficient, effective, feasible and appropriate than was originally thought. The Council is now seeking public feedback on the options for reuse, treatment and disposal of reclaimed water from Akaroa and these options are explained in more detail in this booklet. Public feedback on the outlined options will help inform a decision on which option to take forward for consenting and implementation.