Efforts doubled to reduce midge numbers in Māngere Bridge

27/09/2019


The team at our Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant is doubling their efforts to reduce midge numbers which are unseasonably high for this time of year.
 
Midge lay their larvae in the effluent channel and storage basin at the treatment plant. We drag chains through the channel and basin to kill the larvae and spray insecticide on nearby trees and bushes (on Watercare land) that midges use to shelter from the wind.
 
We have switched from our winter to summer treatment cycles in the past month. Recently, we doubled the summer treatment cycle.
 
The team have found these treatment methods effective and expect to see a noticeable decrease in midge numbers in the next 2-3 weeks.
 
We apologise to the Māngere Bridge community for any inconvenience.

Photo: The channel where midge breed.