Upgrades to wastewater infrastructure
Queenstown Lakes District Council property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery says the project will deliver critical improvements to support current and future housing demands while protecting the natural environment.
"Existing infrastructure in Wānaka and Albert Town is fast approaching its capacity to effectively convey wastewater out to Project Pure Wastewater Treatment Plant and as many in Hāwea will be aware, the township's treatment plant has reached capacity too," Mr Avery said in a statement.
The scheme includes a new wastewater pump station at Domain Road in Hāwea; 12.5km of new wastewater pipeline connecting Domain Road to existing infrastructure at the Albert Town pump station, upgrades to the existing Riverbank Road pump station, 7.4km of new wastewater pipeline connecting Riverbank Road pump station and Albert Town pump station to Project Pure.
"These upgrades will see wastewater from the Hāwea township being treated and disposed of at Project Pure, enable future connection of Hāwea Flats and Hāwea Campground, and allow for flows from Wānaka and Albert Town to be managed by two pump stations," Mr Avery said.
"Ultimately, the network will be able to handle Upper Clutha's wastewater needs well into the future, treatment and disposal will be improved, and the network will be more resilient in the event of any unforeseen issues."
Physical work on the Upper Clutha Wastewater Conveyance Scheme was expected to begin next month, with construction anticipated to be completed by early 2027, nearly a year earlier than initially anticipated.
Hāwea's existing wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned once the township's new pump station and pipeline are operating.
Mr Avery warned that as with any large construction project some disruption was likely once work on the upgrades begins, and would include noise, vibration, traffic management, and increased construction machinery movements around various work sites between Hāwea, Albert Town, and Project Pure near Wānaka Airport.
Large parts of the new pipeline running from Hāwea to Project Pure will be installed on the side of State Highway 6.
Other key impacts will include disruption on both Camphill Road Bridge and Albert Town Bridge when installation of the new pipeline occurs in these locations.
Mr Avery said a detailed delivery plan is being worked on by the contractor, and more information about the works and what to expect will be shared once this is completed. — Allied Media
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