We’ve made a decision on Akaroa Treated Wastewater Options

Council approved the Hearings Panel’s recommendations, with minor amendments to recommendations 4 and 12, on 10 December 2020.

• Approved that Akaroa’s highly treated wastewater is discharged from the new treatment plant to the land.
• Approved that Akaroa’s highly treated wastewater is used on land for irrigation at Inner Bays (Robinsons Bay, Hammond Point, Takamātua)
• Approved irrigating public parks and flushing public toilets in Akaroa with highly treated wastewater as part of the scheme.
• Supported and requests Council Officers to explore the feasibility of a non-potable reuse (purple pipe) scheme for Akaroa, so that property owners could use the water for garden watering and other non-drinking purposes.

The Council made the following changes to the proposal:

• 4. Increases the promotion of water conservation measures in Akaroa to reduce the volume of wastewater, including the use of Smart Meters funded as part of the 3 Waters Reform funding and notes the support by the Hearings Panel and some submitters for excess water charges to assist with this
• 12. Creates a scheme for local employment for the planting and maintenance of the native trees. Requests Council Officers to investigate and report back to the Council on the option of a scheme for local employment for the planting and maintenance of the native trees. In response to question three of the Akaroa Treated Wastewater Options consultation document, “would you support us irrigating public parks in Akaroa with highly treated wastewater?

You can read the meeting minutes below, which include the formal resolutions

You can also watch the decision being made below.

What happens next?

Includes consideration of additional budget in the draft Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 to implement the approved Akaroa Reclaimed Water Treatment and Reuse Scheme.