MEDIA RELEASE

19 September 2012

Consent Review Welcomed By Regional Council

Palmerston North City Council's plan to undertake a consent review over their waste water treatment plant is being met with support from Horizons Regional Council's chief executive Michael McCartney.

The two councils have been undertaking a joint investigation on the impact the treatment plant has been having on the Manawatu River which has led to agreement that the City's discharge is having a significant adverse effect on the aquatic life in the river and needs to be addressed

"The investigation has given both councils sufficient information to determine that the decline in water quality we are seeing in this stretch of the river is attributed to higher than expected levels of nutrients present in the discharge," said Mr McCartney.

"Although they've operated in line with their consent in terms of the treatment process and volume of discharge, reality is that at certain times of the year it’s causing damage to the river's ecosystem and that needs to be sorted out."

Mr McCartney said it was common with these types of consents to include provision for a review before the term of the consent expired.

“A lot of work goes into establishing what the likely impacts of a consent are at the time it’s granted. However, we’re dealing with a natural resource here and things aren’t always 100 per cent predictable. That’s why we build in reviews along the way so adjustments can be made where needed,” said Mr McCartney.

The City Council has agreed to a consent review, which will see them make the necessary improvements and future proof the treatment plant. Concurrent to this process, the City Council will trial increasing the frequency of alum dosing, a process used to reduce the nutrient levels in the discharge.

"We have instigated a review of the City's consent which will not only allow them to sort out the current problem but also mean that the City can also consider improvements to their discharge required under the One Plan that wouldn't have kicked in until 2020."

The One Plan's water quality regulation sets out to reduce the amount of nitrogen ending up in waterways by requiring councils, industry, and farmers in sensitive catchments to meet set nitrogen limits.

"I'm satisfied with the immediate measures being taken by the City and their commitment to undertaking this review within a set timeframe. Providing the agreed milestones are met Horizons will not need to pursue court action at this time."

The review process is already underway with the intention to present the scale and cost of improvements needed to the community during the 2013-14 annual plan process.

ENDS

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