Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said the $37.5 million project would further improve wastewater capacity in the district and provide for future growth through to the year 2048.
"These upgrades will see the construction of a second Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) reactor and clarifier down by Shotover Delta, and a range of new equipment, technology and supporting infrastructure to help keep the district’s pipes flowing."
The present treatment process using residual oxidation pond systems will no longer be required once work is complete, with the new process handled by the two MLE reactors.
Mr Avery said treating wastewater with the reactors would ensure long-term compliance as more people chose to make the Wakatipu Basin their home, helping to protect the environment and meeting tighter effluent consent limits if required in the future.
"Furthermore, one of the existing oxidation ponds on site will be repurposed as part of the works, with a portion to be used as a basin for improved stormwater management on site. Another area will be converted to act as a calamity storage pond for the extremely rare occasion when the treatment plant might go offline unexpectedly", Mr Avery said.
The Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant services Wakatipu Basin communities of Queenstown, Arthurs Point, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Quail Rise, Shotover Country, Lake Hayes Estate, Lake Hayes and Arrowtown.
Once complete, these upgrades will allow the plant to receive additional wastewater flows from Jacks Point Village, Hanley Farm, Ladies Mile and an extension of the Quail Rise residential development area.
The construction contract for the third stage of work on the treatment plant was awarded to McConnell Dowell.
McConnell Dowell plans to reduce the project’s estimated carbon footprint by reusing spoil from the site, reducing transport emissions, using sustainable materials and reducing the amount of steel and concrete used where possible.
Mr Avery said the contractor would put in place measures to mitigate any potential stormwater, dust, noise, and odour effects during construction.
Construction will typically occur between 7.30am-6pm on weekdays, with the project expected to be complete in late 2025 before commissioning of the new plant infrastructure follows in early 2026.
— Staff reporter
