11 June 2014

Council pump station to alleviate trade waste discharge

Christchurch City Council will replace a critical pump station on Pages Road next month which will help reduce the frequency and quantity of treated wastewater being discharged into the Waimakariri River.

The Council’s sewerage network was damaged in the Canterbury Earthquakes, with more than 100 wastewater pumping stations and 528 kilometres of sewer pipes affected around the city.

The damage to the wastewater network, combined with recent flooding, has meant that during heavy rain events the network reaches capacity for transferring wastewater to the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant. As a result further flows from Silver Fern Farms cannot be accepted.

Once Silver Fern Farms storage capacity at Belfast is exceeded, they have to discharge into the Waimakariri River.

A range of projects including sewer system repairs in Aranui and North New Brighton and a new pressure main from the new pump station to the plant, are expected to alleviate the issues around treated wastewater discharge from Silver Fern Farms. The pump station will be commissioned within the next month replacing the current damaged one on Pages Road.

Unit Manager Water and Waste, Mark Christison says: “Other infrastructure rebuild works need to be completed in adjacent sewer catchments to reduce infiltration and increase the network’s wet weather capacity. This may take another 12 to 18 months to finish, although the situation will improve as each project is completed.”

The Council is working with Environment Canterbury and affected parties to keep them updated on the situation.

ENDS

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