Wastewater
Council has developed a long term plan to progressively upgrade the wastewater reticulation network in Taupo to meet the increasing demand as our population grows.
Some of the key projects that are underway include:
Taupo land disposal
Taupo Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
Kinloch Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
In 2006 Council negotiated the purchase of 360 hectares of land from landcorp. The puchase allows us to expand our treated wastewater diposal capacity to meet increasing demand and allows the construction of the ETA through the existing Rakaunui Road land disposal area. The new land disposal site extends both sides of Broadlands Road with the northern piece also bordering View Road. During 2008, Council constructed a new pipeline and pump station to pump the water from Rakunui Road up to the irrigation system at what we now call the View Road land disposal area. We have constructed a number of centre pivot irrigators covering 130 hectares of the land and the balance will be developed as demand grows. In the meantime the land is being leased for grazing.
The Taupo Wastewater Treatment Plant, off the end of Motutahae Street, has reached its capacity. Council is therefore planning to expand the plant on the existing site. It is anticipated that this will be achieved by adding additional clarifiers, a trickling filter tower, an additional digester, a new sand filter and ultraviolet disinfection. The new equipment would be progressively installed as funding allows between 2009 and 2020. In order to undertake this work we have already been through the RMA consenting process to obtain a designation for this site.
During the last two years, Council has upgraded the wastewater treatment plant at Kinloch to make the best possible use of the existing infrastructure. However, while this work has given us some breathing space, we will still need to monitor growth there and ensure that we have the capacity available as land is developed and more people move to the area.
Mangakino Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
In December 2007 the Mangakino WWTP was significantly upgraded with the commissioning of a new treatment plant. Further upgrades to the network reticulation system and treatment processes continue to be carried out. These upgrades will further improve the treated discharge quality and network system operations. The resource consent expires in 2016 and it is expected that consent conditions will require higher discharge quality standards. Investigations are already under way to prepare information for this process.
Omori Wastewater Treatment Plant Bridge
An existing vehicular bridge that provides access to the sewerage treatment site has been closed for structural reasons and will be replaced this financial year with works expected to be completed in June 2009.
Turangi Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
A further upgrade of the treatment plant is required and new membrane filters will be installed to increase the systems capacity. The membranes are being supplied from Japan and will duplicate the existing operation.
Whareroa Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
There is potential for significant development at Whareroa and Council is therefore investigating the option to increase its land disposal area.
Other upgrades including aeration of the treatment ponds and installing a step screen will be completed in June 2009, thereby reducing the potential for offensive odours.