Ōpononi wastewater plant open day provides project clarity
A project to restore wetlands and desludge the Ōpononi Wastewater Treatment Plant is underway, with an open day in December giving those interested insights into the changes ahead.
A tour of the site and explanation of the desludging process provided by council contractor Conhur on 9 December, was a chance to demystify planned improvements and to respond to questions. Setting up monitoring of possible impacts of the project on nearby awa, kaimoana gathering spots and mahinga kai (garden) areas were high on the priority list for attendees. Results of the monitoring will be shared with local hapū and other community representatives to communicate with their groups.
A working group will be formed during a meeting planned for February 2025 at the Ōmāpere Memorial Hall. The working group will track project progress and keep the community informed, with support from community board representatives.
The plant treats wastewater from the Ōpononi and Ōmāpere townships, servicing about 400 properties and processing about 250 cubic metres of wastewater per day. The project includes works required to address the outstanding abatement notice at the wastewater plant.
The Ōpononi/Ōmāpere Wastewater Treatment Plant resource consent application has been granted and the consent has been issued by Northland Regional Council. The commencement date was 19 November 2024.
The project is similar to desludging work recently completed at the Kaikohe WWTP, also carried out by Conhur. Watch the video below to see how the project at Kaikohe transformed wastewater treatment there.
Below - the open day included a tour of the site and an explanation of the desludging process.
Below - a timelapse of the desludging work recently completed at the Kaikohe WWTP by Conhur.