Published 2/10/2024
Consultation opens on new resource consent for Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant
South Wairarapa District Council and Wellington Water are inviting the public to feedback on a crucial proposal to improve the performance of the Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant and provide better environmental outcomes.
Wellington Water on behalf of South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) submitted an application for a new resource consent for the treatment plant with Greater Wellington Regional Council in May 2023. The application will be open for public submissions from the 2 October until 5pm, 31 October 2024.
Wellington Water Chief Advisor Wastewater Steve Hutchison says the proposal is the result of consultation over four years with mana whenua iwi and the community to identify a fit-for-purpose solution that delivers value now and into the future.
“If approved, this work will make meaningful improvements to water quality in Donalds Creek and Lake Wairarapa in the short-term while allowing South Wairarapa District Council to monitor performance and collect valuable information to inform the development of a longer-term solution for Featherston’s wastewater treatment.”
The proposal will upgrade and improve the performance of the existing wastewater treatment plant through upgrading inlet screens and equipment in the oxidation pond and introducing a new clarification system such as a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) to reduce sediment and contaminants in the wastewater.
It will also introduce a constructed wetland and revegetated area to further enhance the quality of the treated wastewater before discharging to Donalds Creek.
Additionally, it will allow time to trial and implement a land application process using trickle irrigation to distribute treated wastewater without causing spray drift. This will reduce the volume of treated wastewater reaching Donalds Creek and Lake Wairarapa.
“While affordability is a big factor, this needs to be balanced with environmental and cultural outcomes. That is why the proposal seeks an initial 10-year consent, allowing for testing and monitoring that takes place throughout the initial consent period, which will then inform the long-term approach to treatment operations and investment.”
Councillor Aidan Ellims, SWDC Infrastructure Portfolio Lead, says the proposal will benefit the wider South Wairarapa community and environment.
“The approach being taken to address Featherston’s wastewater treatment issues will be of benefit to our district, with the improved environmental outcomes and catering for growth in the region but also through confirming technology and natural-based solutions that could be installed at other points in the network.”
Wellington Water will be hosting a series of public events for people wanting to know more:
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- Thursday 17 October, public drop-in event - 3.30pm to 6.30pm ANZAC Hall, 62-64 Bell Street, Featherston
- Sunday 20 October, public drop-in event 2pm-4pm Featherston Community Centre, 14 Wakefield Street, Featherston
- Tuesday 22 October webinar from 6pm -7pm
To view the application and make a submission visit www.haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz
To register for the webinar and find out more about the project visit www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/projects/featherston-wastewater-project
Consenting background
- The existing authorisation for the plant and discharge of treated wastewater to Donald’s Creek expired in 2023. The plant continues to operate legally under an extension until a decision is made on the current application (Council committed to lodging a new consent application in 2023.)
- The historic consent originally expired in 2012, when the South Wairarapa District Council applied for a new consent for the continuation of discharge to Donald’s Creek. Following a request from GWRC for further information the application was placed on hold. During this period changes to the application were sought to move to a land-based disposal approach. GWRC requested a new consent application be lodged for this.
- In 2017, the Council lodged a new consent application to transition to a land-based discharge.
- In 2020, the Council withdrew its 2017 consent and engaged Wellington Water to identify a solution.
- Wellington Water then continued to work with mana whenua iwi, the community and stakeholders to identify options for a long-term solution that meets local aspirations for improved environmental performance and caters for growth whilst remaining affordable to South Wairarapa ratepayers.
- In 2021, Wellington Water presented a shortlist of options for long-term treatment of Featherston’s wastewater to the Council. However, councillors had concerns that none of the options were affordable and would impose too great a cost on ratepayers.
- The Council asked Wellington Water to find an affordable solution that will achieve a new consent from Greater Wellington Regional Council, whilst work continues towards a long-term solution that meets the community’s aspirations.
- In 2022 an affordable solution was identified
- May 2023 a consent was lodged with GWRC
- July 2023 GWRC requested further information (s.92 RMA)
- January-March 2024 – pilot trials at treatment plant
- May 2024 submit trial results to GWRC
- 2 October GWRC publicly notified consent application. Submissions close 31 October.
Editor notes
Wellington Water is owned and fully funded by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, and Upper Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and South Wairarapa District Council. All six councils are equal shareholders.
Our councils own the water infrastructure in the region, and they task us to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.
Wellington Water is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board and our organisation receive overall leadership and direction from the Wellington Water Committee, which are also responsible for appointing members to the Board.
The Wellington Water Committee is made up of representatives from our council owners and mana whenua.