Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Horizons receive response on wastewater treatment plant
MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council
Thursday 26 September
Horizons receive response on wastewater treatment plant
Today Horizons Regional Council received a response from Palmerston North City Council to a review of one of the consent conditions for the Totara Road Wastewater Treatment Plant. Horizons had previously released a proposed set of consent conditions designed to address the plant’s impact on aquatic life in the Manawatu River.
The revised conditions proposed to set limits on the levels of pH, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll in the discharge and limit the amount of periphyton (algae) growth downstream of the site. In turn high levels of periphyton impact on invertebrate populations.
The review came after Horizons found the city council to be in breach of their resource consent as a result of significant algal growth downstream of the treatment plant’s discharge.
Horizons Chief Executive, Michael McCartney acknowledges the considerable work that has been undertaken to complete the PNCC response.
“It is a large body of work and we are pleased with the considerable efforts made to identify the causes of detrimental impacts on the river from the wastewater treatment plant discharge and potential solutions proposed.
“We are also very pleased to see that the city council are taking action by committing to the installation of a disc filtration system.”
In terms of the consent condition review process, Horizons will now consider the report from the city council. A process of public submissions will then be initiated, leading to a hearing. The city council response proposes revised consent conditions and measures to reduce total phosphorus but no further measures to reduce nitrogen levels in the discharge. The issue of nitrogen and any possible mitigation to address the impact of the discharge will be subject to a public consulting process. A cost benefit analysis of reducing nitrogen in the discharge is likely to be a significant point of consideration in this process. Nitrogen has been identified as a cause of algal growth at low flows.
“Ultimately the health of the Manawatu River is of utmost importance. We want the best outcomes possible for the river and for it to be a source of pride in our community,” said Mr McCartney
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Hikoi Aftermath
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
Helen Clark Foundation: Helen Clark Foundation Calls For Political Action To Reduce The Prevalence Of Junk Food And Improve Health Outcomes
Justice Committee: Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill
Infrastructure New Zealand: Single Agency Needed To Coordinate Climate Adaptation And Recovery
Free Speech Union: Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill Likely To Restrict Access To Information, Polling Shows Most Oppose
Auckland Transport: Driver Safety Screens Now Rolling Out Across Auckland’s Bus Fleet
