Watercare lodges application to improve south-west wastewater services

Projects, 12/07/2016

Growing west Franklin communities are a step closer to receiving new and improved wastewater services.

Watercare has lodged a resource consent application to discharge treated wastewater to a new location in the Waiuku River channel as part of its $128-million South-West Wastewater Servicing Project.

Watercare strategy and planning general manager Martin Smith says gaining this consent will enable Watercare to substantially improve wastewater services to the Kingseat, Clarks Beach, Glenbrook Beach and Waiuku communities.

“Last year we completed a $116 million project to transform Franklin’s water supply. Now it’s time to improve wastewater services to these communities.”

As part of the project Watercare will develop a new high-tech modern facility at the existing Waiuku Wastewater Treatment Plant to service the four western communities, and construct pipelines to convey the highly treated wastewater to the proposed outfall in the Waiuku River channel near the Clarks Beach golf course.

Currently three relatively simple wastewater treatment plants – in Waiuku, Clarks Beach and Kingseat – service communities in the area and discharge at three locations. There is also a small private treatment plant at the former Kingseat Hospital that services the residents and activities on the property. 

While these plants are operating effectively now, the area’s steadily growing population will soon bring them to capacity.

Smith says the upgrades provide numerous sustainable benefits to these communities.

“Not only will the improved treatment process enhance the water quality of the Waiuku River but operating a single plant and discharge point will have a positive impact on the marine environment. It will also enable us to keep overall service costs to our
customers down.”

Smith says there will be future opportunities for treated wastewater reuse as well.

Franklin Local Board chair Andrew Baker says Watercare should be commended for its commitment to service growth in the area.

“It is exciting to know that our communities will be receiving improved wastewater services. The advanced treatment processes that Watercare plans to put in place is a step in the right direction.”

Watercare has requested that the application be publicly notified.