The Te Anau Wastewater project, started two years ago, is nearing completion with a significant milestone achieved this week.

Southland District Council (SDC) deputy Mayor, Ebel Kramer, was on hand to activate the filtrate wastewater dispersal system into the Kepler subsoil disposal field for the first time.

Deputy mayor Ebel Kremer pushes the button to start the Kepler field subsoil dispersal system. Photo: Supplied

“There were certainly a lot of thoughts going through my mind when I hit that little button, thinking about all of the people that have been involved across so many years. It was an honour to represent them in that moment,” Cr Kremer said in a statement issued by SDC.

“This is absolutely the culmination of so much hard work by so many people – everyone from our contractors to Fiordland Sewage Options and various councils. There were some very robust discussions over the years but the end result was worth it”.  

“What has been achieved is something the Te Anau community and Council can be very proud of. We have a world-class, environmentally friendly wastewater treatment plant and disposal field right here”.

A solution to the dispersal of Te Anau’s wastewater was required when the resource consent for the existing sewage facility at the Upukeroa river outlet into Lake Te Anau ran out.

Advertisement:

Te Anau wastewater upgrade project manager Geoff Gray said the extensive project was now in its final stages and he expected the project would be delivered under budget at $25.5million and on time despite challenges of COVID 19 lockdowns and a three-month delay due to valves requiring modifications by the manufacturer. The budget was $27 million.

Mr Gray said the subsoil irrigation was the first to be used in New Zealand and dispersed wastewater treated to point 02 of a micron which he said was just one level below safe drinking water.

Groundwater in the region of the dispersal field and all the way to Frasers Beach at Lake Manapouri has been undergoing quality testing for some time to set a benchmark for future quality control and to ensure the area is not contaminated once the system is commissioned and fully operating.

Heavy and large waste is removed from Te Anau’s sewerage pipes before entering the filtration plant where it is further reduced and then sent over the newly installed 20 kilometres pipeline from Te Anau to the Kepler dispersal field.

The Kepler subsoil disposal field lies at the base of the Takitimu Mountains and is adjacent to the Te Anau Manapouri Airport. Photo: Supplied

The project received two funding injections from the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Those interested in viewing the plant operation will be able to attend an open day in the new year, which will be promoted once a date is confirmed.