Project three - Re-consenting, then upgrades to the Takapau Wastewater System

Background

The Takapau Wastewater Treatment Plant has a consent expiring in October 2021. The plant performs to reasonable standard however requires some improvements. It has a basic oxidation pond treatment and currently discharges to the Makaretu River via a wetland, however Council has heard from the community that there is an appetite to explore a land-based discharge system.

Existing Wastewater Network

Option One

• Undertake minor upgrades to the current wastewater treatment plant.
• Establish new land site and add value through treating land with wastewater (e.g can grow something, or irrigate)
• Add storage and cease river discharge

Benefits:

• Cease river discharge
• New land discharge with the ability to potentially have some form of reuse
• Improved treatment levels

Option two

• Undertake minor upgrades to the current wastewater treatment plant.
• Continue to discharge to the river in wet high flows
• Discharge to land int he dry

Benefits:

• New land discharge
• Improved treatment levels

Option three

• Undertake minor upgrades to the current wastewater treatment plant.
• Discharge to a land based discharge system.
• Cease discharge to the river.

Benefits:

• Cease river discharge
• New land discharge via high rate disposal
• Improved treatment levels

Approximate Project Two Cost

The costs go through a refining process as the design progresses. We are currently at a very early pre-concept design phase, and expect the costs to be in the vicinity of $2m for Project Two.

How might this project be staged?

The way we stage this work will impact the immediate effect on Central Hawke’s Bay’s rates.

• All at once within 2 – 3 years
• Staged within 5 years
• Staged within 10 years