2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

Work programmed for Ashhurst WastewaterTreatment Plant in 2011/12 was delayed asdecisions were made as to whether to pumpwastewater from Ashhurst to Totara RoadWastewater Treatment Plant in the city or whetherto redevelop and upgrade the existing oxidationponds in Ashhurst. These decisions are beingreached in the knowledge that the existingdischarge consent for the Ashhurst wastewatertreatment plant expires in August 2013. In May2012 the Council decided to pump wastewater fromAshhurst to the main city treatment plant in TotaraRoad. Preliminary design work is now underwayto determine the route and requirements of thenew pipeline. This project will be a major focus forWastewater activity in the coming year.Major issues relating to theWastewater Activity include:Longburn and Bunnythorpe - As a resultof boundary changes between the City andManawatu District Council, responsibility for thewastewater collection and disposal systems inBunnythorpe and Longburn have passed to theCouncil from 1 July 2012. Initially a key focus willbe on better understanding the operations of bothsystems. In the longer term the Council will needto decide the best methods for treatment anddisposal of wastewater from both towns.Discharge to the Manawatū River - Finalisationof the river ecology monitoring study with resultsexpected during the next financial year. Decisionswill then follow as to the best means of mitigatingthe effects of the discharge on the river.EnvironmentalSustainability... What the Council Does WastewaterUrban Growth and Network Capacity - TheCouncil is narrowing its focus on the best locationsfor future residential and industrial growth. Oncethe areas for growth are defined a study will becommenced to determine the upgrading needsof the wastewater system to provide capacityfor future growth, and possible servicing ofsatellite towns such as Bunnythorpe, Longburnand Ashhurst. Part of the study will also focuson providing reliance for critical elements of thenetwork in a major seismic event or other naturaldisaster.110 Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12