Project background
The Taipā Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) receives wastewater from Coopers Beach, Mangōnui, Taipā and Cable Bay and is operated by the council. Taipā’s treated wastewater has been discharged to a tributary of the Parapara Stream for some years.
What is the Taipā Wastewater Transformation Project?
The transformation project is a collaboration between local hapū, the community, the council and other agencies to actively investigate alternative options for discharging treated wastewater, including discharging to land.
The most viable alternative that is emerging as a result of the transformation project is a process called electrocoagulation (EC). This process takes water soluble nutrients that exist in wastewater (like phosphates, nitrates, and ammonia) and separates them from the clean water. The sludge produced after the EC process can be used as garden fertiliser and the clean water produced is being tested to ensure it is safe to go back to land or wetlands.
A trial of the EC system at Taipā is being driven by the working group who believe this is the most technically advanced and cost effective solution. For information about electrocoagulation go to the 'What is EC' section of this website.
Watch the video below for a summary of the transformation project.
Through the Taipā Working Group, the council has also been seeking guidance from mana whenua about options for discharging to land and site suitability.
Areas of land have been identified that may be suitable for the treated wastewater. These areas have the soil, slope and land-use types that might be suitable for receiving treated wastewater. Further site investigations are required to confirm the suitability of these areas.
The next step is to contact landowners to find out if they're interested in engaging in site suitability investigations. Design and costs for appropriate infrastructure will be prepared, if suitable land is found. The working group will then make a recommendation as to whether or not discharging the treated wastewater to land is the best practical option, or if a continued discharge to surface water should be maintained.
You can email us to find out more at taipatransformation@fndc.govt.nz