“A Paradigm Shift” - Carterton District Council Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Fri 4 Jun 2010: “A Paradigm Shift” - Carterton District Council Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Caterton District Council -a positive example of what good robust consultation is all about. Carterton Council are under-going and promoting a “paradigm shift”. This shift of thinking has been translated into their recent work on how wastewater can be tranformed into a resource.
“Having considered a range of options Council feels that it is time for a paradigm shift in how wastewater is treated and utilised. This shift is driven by community and Tangata Whenua aspirations and the general abhorrence of discharges of wastewater directly to our rivers, and the availability of improved treatment technologies, such as membrane-based treatment systems which are becoming more reliable and affordable, and are able to achieve a high standard of treatment with respect to the removal of disease causing organisms. With such treatment, the treated wastewater, (still containing the harder to remove nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus), can then be considered as a resource rather than a waste, and used accordingly”, Andy Duncan, Civil Engineer – Environmental Specialist.
Andy Duncan is assisting New Zealand Environmetal Technologies Ltd, who have been contracted by Carterton District Council to manage wastewater consent issues.
Part of the Carterton District Council’s longterm vision is:
“…for the Dalefield Road Wastewater Treatment Plant to discharge all treatment effluent to land, except in extreme weather events, for the purpose of improving environmental and cultural outcomes”.
The below pdf file is a very user-friendly presentation which illustrates how wastewater is a resource and how new technologies can effectively process the wastewater. Such technologies include:
- Fine screening;
- Primary clarifier;
- Digester;
- Filteration and UV disenfection;
- Oxidation ponds;
- Wetlands; and
- Irrigation
Nineteen farmers have already indicated that they are interested in recieving the treated/processed effluent under this scheme. The proposal is to pipe to to them for five years free, and then negotiate a purchase price. Good robust communication and consultation has enabled positive outcomes for the region. The consultation group includes: Ngāti Kahungunu; Ngāti Rangitāne ki Wairarapa; DoC; Fish & Game; Sustainable Wairarapa; Carterton District Council; Wellington Regional Council; and Wairarapa District Health Board.
Click here to view presentation: Carterton District Council – Wastewater Consent Application
For more information go to the Carterton District Council website and view their brochure and minutes: http://www.cartertondc.co.nz/consultation.html
