Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant Build on Track
The construction of the new Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant is progressing smoothly and remains on track, with key milestones achieved in recent months.
Since June, treated wastewater has been successfully redirected to the new outfall structure, allowing construction to continue without disrupting local wastewater treatment services.
Water Services Manager Karl Pavlovich said the diversion to the outfall has been vital in enabling ongoing progress. “This diversion has been a critical step in allowing construction to move forward seamlessly. The project is a key part of a multi-stage plan to increase the plant’s capacity and enhance its environmental performance.
"Much is happening behind the scenes, and the actual on-site changes are progressing steadily. We are currently building large concrete structures for the chemical storage facility, a new motor control centre, and bioreactor tanks."
Additionally, the new UV building, and disinfection system are now operational, and the 18.5-metre long septage storage tank arrived on-site last month. The tank will become part of the new septage receipt facility in the coming months, he said.
Work is also underway to manage contaminated soil and significant earthworks as part of the building and structure development is close to completion. By mid-next year, the focus will shift to roading, pipe, and mechanical installations.
The project is part of a broader, long-term investment in the Waipā District’s wastewater infrastructure. The new outfall structure and bioreactors will replace the previous rapid infiltration beds system, ensuring the facility is equipped to meet the demands of future population growth, improve water quality, and support more sustainable water management practices.
The new plant will look very different to the existing one; as it uses tanks and other concrete structures rather than a pond-based system, it has a much smaller footprint – only around a third of the size of the existing plant. This means land on the Matos Segedin Drive site that is no longer needed can be remediated and put to better use.
The new facility will also include an on-site solar farm, generating enough energy to power the plant during the day. It will also consider visual impact, noise, and odour management plus meet the highest quality effluent standards. Biosolids produced by the plant will be taken off-site for re-use as compost via a third-party.
The full project is on track for completion by 2026, at which point it will be transferred to the new consent.
