Watercare has this week officially opened a new wastewater treatment scheme at Kawakawa Bay.
The now fully operational wastewater scheme has been designed to prevent further stream, beach and sea contamination, allowing the environment to recover naturally and the water quality in the bay to gradually improve.
Celebrating the opening of the Kawakawa Bay wastewater scheme, clockwise from back left: Lynn Chatterton of the Kawakawa Bay Community Association, with Franklin local board members Andy Baker (chair), Bill Cashmore and Jan Sinclair (deputy chair).
“This scheme – planned under the old Manukau City Council with delivery commencing under the old Manukau Water – is up and running and replacing the old septic tanks which were part of life in the bay,” said Watercare Chief Executive Mark Ford.
“The ongoing contamination of this bay has for years impacted both residents and visitors, so we are delighted that the scheme is now up and running. With the collection and treatment scheme working, the environment will begin to recover and water quality will begin to improve.
“Of course this process takes time. But, as we have seen in the Manukau Harbour around our Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant, changing the way we treat and dispose of wastewater can dramatically improve our environment.”
Watercare Chief Executive Mark Ford speaking at the Kawakawa Bay wastewater scheme official opening.
All Kawakawa Bay households are now connected to the new scheme, which will be operated until June 2013 by Watercare contractor Fulton Hogan. The facility, which currently serves Kawakawa Bay’s 600 residents, has the potential to service up to 3000 people.
Mayor of Auckland Len Brown: “This scheme is so much about our environment, refreshing and preserving our coastal waters.”
Images courtesy of Times Newspapers