The baton for the supply of wastewater services to Tokanui properties on Te Mawhai Road has been passed over to Waipā District Council.
In November 2021, an agreement was made between Waipā District Council and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), to assist with the operation of two new wastewater pump stations and the associated wastewater network in Tokanui Village.
Council will now be looking after maintenance of the Tokanui Hospital and village’s wastewater in an effort to assist LINZ with a gap in services, Waipā District Council Consultant Engineer Richard Bax said at Tuesday’s Service Delivery Committee meeting.
“The agreement reached is for staff to manage the wastewater reticulation on behalf of LINZ and for the village’s wastewater to be received by Council’s wastewater network for treatment,” Bax said.
“LINZ is still working through the ownership of the wastewater network with Maniapoto Māori Trust Board so whether the asset will be vested to Council to look after in future isn’t agreed at this time.”
Bax said the agreement was a low financial risk to Council as costs would be recovered through the equivalent of a targeted wastewater rate per household, and any unforeseen costs that may arise will be reimbursed by LINZ.
The Tokanui Hospital wastewater treatment plant and pump station was built in the 1950s to service the Tokanui Hospital and surrounding properties. Wastewater from Tokanui is now being pumped to the Te Awamutu wastewater treatment plant and pump station through the pipeline servicing the Waikeria Prison.
The wastewater plant was operated and maintained by Waikato District Health Board and its predecessors until April 2019, and by the Wastewater Specialists from April 2019 until decommissioning last week.
Council’s Water Services Manager Martin Mould said the agreement would also see the removal of treated wastewater from entering the local stream which would result in a much improved environmental outcome.
Tokanui had two wastewater treatment plants supporting the Tokanui Village and the former Hospital site and associated housing, which were discharging to the local streams.
Three local partners, the Department of Corrections, LINZ and Waipā District Council, have been involved in the decision-making process to connect Tokanui into the new Waikeria operations which was recently completed.
“This ties in with the work we're already doing with the Department of Corrections for Waikeria Prison. When we’re out servicing the new wastewater pump station at the prison, our team will also check on Tokanui.”
Mould said connecting Tokanui Village into the Waikeria pipeline, which brings wastewater from Waikeria Prison through to Te Awamutu for treatment, was a win for the environment and for the town.
Bidding farewell to the plant were long-time wastewater specialists Lloyd Furze and Tony Turnbull who provided a combined 78 years of service to the Tokanui community. Turnbull started at the plant in 1978 and was joined by Furze in 1986.
More information about the Waikeria project is available on the Council’s website at www.waipadc.govt.nz/waikeria.
