Notice withdrawn to designate Glenbrook land for wastewater treatment purposes

We are withdrawing our Notice of Requirement to designate land in Glenbrook for wastewater treatment purposes.

Chief strategy and planning officer Priyan Perera says that as southwest Auckland develops, the company needs to expand its wastewater treatment infrastructure to support population growth in Waiuku, Glenbrook Beach, Clarks Beach and Kingseat.

“Last year, we lodged a Notice of Requirement with Council to designate our land in Glenbrook with a view to build an advanced wastewater treatment plant that would replace three local plants. But in May, an independent panel of commissioners recommended we withdraw our application.

“We have decided to withdraw our Notice of Requirement, meaning we will not pursue it at this time. We will now take the opportunity to reassess our options," Perera says.

“We will continue to work closely with the community to find a sustainable, affordable, and appropriate solution that enables the area to grow.

“Protecting and enhancing the Manukau Harbour by improving the quality of the wastewater discharged in an affordable manner remains a top priority for us.”

Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and outfall project

While we reassesses our options for the long-term solution, we will ensure it can serve population growth in the short to medium term by upgrading the Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant and constructing an outfall pipeline.

“Currently, the plant treats wastewater from about 2,500 people in Clarks Beach and Glenbrook. Our upgrade will allow it to treat wastewater from up to 6,000 people, which is expected to cover growth through to 2030,” Perera says.

“We’re investing in sophisticated treatment technology – specifically, using a membrane aerated bioreactor – that's proven effective at enhancing the quality of the treated wastewater at smaller-scale rural plants.”

“We already use this technology at our Helensville Wastewater Treatment Plant, and it consistently performs well. We’re also upgrading the UV system.”

At the same time as the plant upgrade, we will start constructing an outfall pipe to carry treated wastewater from the plant to about 100 metres off the coast in the Waiuku Channel. The outfall and discharge were granted consent in 2018 and will serve the area over the long term.

“The treatment plant upgrade and outfall project will lift water quality in the Waiuku Channel, as the wastewater will be treated to a higher standard. It will also be discharged on the outgoing tide, where it will be rapidly diluted and dispersed. It’s a vast improvement on what’s currently in place,” says Perera.

Construction on the outfall is expected to begin later this year and is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

Most of the work will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.