In October, the Council agreed to the preparation of an Assessment of Environmental Effects for an ocean outfall via a pipeline no less than 2km long. This requires a full investigation into alternative routes, consultation with stakeholders and provision of an effluent quality that minimises any adverse effects.

Senior planning engineer John Moore says the Council needs to know what sort of outcomes are expected when the city puts its wastewater out to sea via a pipeline through a suburb and one of its beaches.

“We want to hear what Christchurch people in general, and Pegasus Bay residents in particular, expect in terms of water quality and beach standards.We also need to fully understand the impacts and disruption to the community that a major project like this is likely to cause.”

Early on, the Council needs to determine the most suitable pipe route, from the treatment plant out to sea. Preliminary costings are based on a pipeline along Bridge Street. John Moore says this route was chosen because it appeared to present the least engineering difficulties, and has a long straight section of road available to assemble a length of pipe to launch out to sea.

“With that convenience, however, come other major issues. For instance, the need to reconstruct Bridge Street, including a new sewer and kerb and channel, disruption to people who work and live in the street, and the need to install the pipeline where the South Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club building stands presently.”

Additional feasibility studies and budget preparations have now been commissioned for some other potential routes, including an estuary crossing, and laying through Caspian Street or Godwit Street or Beatty Street.

held with residents and businesses on the streets that may be affected directly, as well as with local interest groups, beach users, Maori and young people. A formal submission period, open to all Christchurch residents, is planned from July to September. This will be followed by collation and analysis of results and a report to Council to make a decision before the end of the year on the pipeline route. After that, the implementation phase will begin.

A quarterly newsletter and a dedicated website will be set up to keep people up-to-date with progress throughout the project which is expected to last at least five years. As well, there will be regular information bulletins through the news media and City Scene.

• Anyone wanting to be included on a mailing list and who has not yet received any communication from the Council about the ocean outfall project, please phone 941 8830.