Work ongoing to resolve Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant issues

Work to resolve issues at Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant continues, following a secondary problem with the facility’s aeration grids after repairs were made to the sludge processing and dewatering system last week.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Infrastructure Operations Manager, Simon Mason shared the faults were affecting the level of oxygen available to the wastewater treatment process, resulting in further odour from the facility.

“A selection of aeration grids were removed and inspected on Wednesday this week, and crews on site have made temporary repairs where possible. However, additional replacement parts are required to resolve the issues entirely,” said Mr Mason.

“These parts have been ordered, but unfortunately, not all are available in Aotearoa New Zealand and this will mean some delays should be expected until we can fully address these faults.”

In the meantime, plans are in place to transport a surface aerator from Marlborough District Council to the facility with urgency, to work alongside an odour mitigation cannon on site to lessen smell in the area.

Mr Mason apologised for the unpleasant time local residents and businesses were having as a result of odour coming from Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, and added that the site team was working tirelessly to optimise the operation of the facility and ease effects on the community.

QLDC continues to provide Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Pollution team with daily reports on odour coming from Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION|KĀ PĀROKO TĀPIRI

Frequently Asked Questions – Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/2023/december/faqs-shotover-wastewater-treatment-plant/

More about aeration grids:

Faults with the aeration grids at Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant mean the reactor used to treat wastewater onsite is receiving coarse aeration, instead of fine bubbles. The high surface area of fine bubbles is integral to allowing oxygen to transfer into the biomass being processed, leading to a reduction in odour created.

The issues with the aeration grids are unexpected, given the equipment is approximately seven years old and has an expected design life over ten years.