People invited to find out more about Cambridge wastewater upgrade
01 August 2011
A multi-million dollar plan for the upgrade of the Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant will be unveiled to the public next week as Waipa District Council begins its consultation process for the project.
A public information session will be held at the Cambridge council office at 23 Wilson Street next Thursday, August 11, from 3pm-7pm to outline the project and to seek feedback.
Water Services Manager Lorraine Kendrick said the council intends to lodge staged resource consent applications for the upgrade of the Pukerimu Lane plant in October. The current consents expire at the end of November 2016.
"This is one of the biggest projects for Cambridge over the next 10 years," said Ms Kendrick. "The upgrade is expected to cost about $26 million. It also allows for the growth of Cambridge over the next 35 years, she said.
"This is more than the $13.5 million allowed for in the Council's 2009 - 2019 Long Term Council Community Plan, largely due to the geotechnical reports which have identified that considerable works are required to stabilise the land.
There was some uncertainty, however, about the final long term wastewater solution for Cambridge as a recent study revealed other options which were being further investigated.
A sub-regional wastewater study called The Southern Area Wastewater Study has been commissioned by the Waipa District and Hamilton City councils to prepare a high-level engineering assessment of wastewater infrastructure for the southern region. The region includes the southern part of Hamilton city around Peakcockes Rd, Hamilton Airport , Cambridge and the surrounding area.
The study is due for completion by July 1 next year.
Ms Kendrick said in the meantime the council must press ahead with its plan to expand capacity and introduce a higher level of water treatment until the final outcome of that study was known.
Treated effluent from the existing plant was discharged into the Waikato River and under the preferred upgrade option this would not change, she said.
The proposed treatment and disposal of the effluent will mean that the water entering the river is likely to be of a higher quality than the river water itself.
A Project Advisory Group was formed May 2010 to provide informed advice to Waipa District Council based on social, environmental, technical and economic assessments of the options available.
The group includes Waipa District Councillors, Cambridge Community Board members and representatives from tangata whenua and Hamilton City Council .
Waipa District Council staff and external consultants provide the technical advice to the group.
Ms Kendrick said council staff and consulting engineers would be available to explain the different facets of the project during the information session and people could drop in at any time.
Submissions on the project will close on Thursday, September 1.
ENDS
For further information contact
Lorraine Kendrick
Manager Water Services
Ph: 07 872 0097
