Unpleasant smell lingers – update (2)

7 June 2007

The impact of work undertaken at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant two weeks ago continues to be obvious to some residents.

The work, which enabled an upgrade, required bypassing the plant’s trickling filters and placed additional pressure on other parts of the plant and the oxidation ponds.

Although improving, the ponds are still ‘recovering’. As a result there could continue to be some releases of odour.

Council’s Operations and Maintenance Manager, Mike Bourke says he is aware residents would like to know how long they could expect the odour to continue but is unable to give a precise time.

"It could be another week or so before the ponds are fully recovered. Unfortunately, biological processes such as the ponds are inherently difficult to predict, so it could be longer or shorter."

The recent weather has not assisted the situation either. The still or light wind conditions have not helped to disperse odour or add oxygen into the ponds.

"Although there is increased pressure on the ponds, the discharge remains within the limits set down in the Council’s discharge consent," says Mr Bourke.

The work is part of a $3.1m major project to replacement four large pumps.

This project is part of an upgrade programme at the Wastewater Treatment Plant designed to ensure there is capacity to meet the city’s future growth and demand and to replace equipment which has reached the end of its economical life.

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