Feedback wanted on wastewater treatment plant

As part of a nine-yearly review of the East Clive wastewater treatment plant, Hastings residents are being asked to give feedback on the facility.

The wastewater treatment plant (Te Whare O Whiro) on Richmond Rd, Clive, was first commissioned in 2009, unique at the time in its use of biological trickling filter tanks that transform the human waste components into plantcell biomass, carbon dioxide and water, rather than using large tanks to hold the wastewater and then separate out the solids.

The plant has also been recognised for is innovation in meeting tangata whenua aspirations discharging the treated wastewater through a Rakahore (rock-lined) passage to spiritually cleanse it before it’s disposed of via the 2.75km-long offshore ocean outfall.

As well as meeting all regulations, a condition of the resource consent to operate the plant was to review its performance once every nine years – including consulting the community on what they think of this treatment and calling for feedback on future investment decision-making.

The design of the plant arose through the work of the HDC Tangata Whenua Joint Wastewater Committee, which was established in 2002 to work together to find solutions that aligned with tangata whenua values, and met regulatory requirements.

This committee still plays an important role in the ongoing operation and development of the wastewater treatment plant and the wider wastewater management.

Joint committee chair Ana Apatu said part of that role was to oversee the nine-yearly review and consider the views of the public.

“This is a great opportunity to tell us what you think of this kind of treatment, its impact on the ocean and what any future investment should look like.

“While the wastewater has been treated to make it compliant and it does not have a negative impact on kaimoana or recreational activities, do you feel comfortable about this method of disposal?

“Do you think there’s enough investment in this plant and treatment, should we be thinking more about climate change or taking actions to protect the environment even better?”

These questions and more can be answered online at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz, or people can pick up forms at the Council’s customer service centre at Lyndon Rd East, any of the three libraries, or Waiaroha on the corner of Southampton St and Hastings St.

Drop-in sessions will be held at Waiaroha on Saturday, November 4 from 10am to 12pm and Sunday, November 12 from 10am to 12pm.

The annual wastewater treatment plan open day (Saturday, November 18) will also be an opportunity to give feedback.

Feedback closes on Friday, November 24.

2 November 2023

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