Our $38.3 million upgrade of the Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant is progressing well, with much of the essential infrastructure now in place.

Head of wastewater Jon Piggot says the upgraded wastewater treatment plant will vastly improve the quality of the treated wastewater, meet incoming stricter resource consent requirements and support population growth in Wellsford and Te Hana.

“This project has taken shape incredibly quickly and we’re on track to have the upgraded plant completed and operational by mid next year.

“Wellsford is expected to be home to around 5000 people by 2052 – that's more than double its current population which now sits just over 2000 people.

“This upgrade will lift the treatment plant’s capacity to about 3200 people, and it’s been designed to allow for future expansions as the area continues to grow.

"Another major benefit of this upgrade is the cleaner water we’ll be discharging to the Hōteo River thanks to significant improvements in technology.”

Membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) tanks and membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology will produce very high-quality treated wastewater.

Photo: Once the upgrades are complete, six of the nine plinths will hold two membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABR), two aerobic tanks and two anoxic tanks.

“The MBR and MABR technologies are highly effective at removing organic matter and nutrients.

“This is largely thanks to the microorganisms – often referred to as 'bugs' – that work on our behalf. We simply create the right conditions for them.

“Any pathogens that manage to pass through the membranes undergo ultraviolet disinfection, ensuring a high-quality wastewater discharge.”

Capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says crews successfully completed two concrete floor pours last month, one for the biofilter and the other for the chemical area on the southern side of the treatment plant.

"Crews have also successfully installed all six wastewater treatment tanks and the pump station, as well as 95 per cent of the site’s in-ground services and drainage.”

Lucas says the aim is to have the remaining concrete slabs poured by the end of next month and the 400-metre-long outfall pipeline installed over the next couple of months.

“The outfall pipeline is a critical part of the upgrade that will discharge the highly-treated effluent into the Hōteo River.

“The construction of the control building is also on track to be completed by the end of September.”

Lucas says traffic management will remain in place approximately 300 metres on either side of the entrance on State Highway 1, around 2.5km outside of Wellsford, to allow for the high number of tracks and vehicles that are coming in and out of the site.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to increase the plant’s capacity and ensure its long-term sustainability.”