It's been wastewater week at Council. First up was the Wastewater Consent Status Annual Report at the wastewater management review committee.

I can see you yawning already. But read on – you won't be yawning if your wastewater doesn't go when you flush. Council treats 26,044 m3 of wastewater on daily average. That's a lot of wastewater. The biannual odour report shows much improved (at huge expense) odour control particularly at Chapel Street. This committee is an internal watchdog, consequent to the 35 year reserve consent for wastewater discharge and is to administer a $250,000 wastewater improvement and mitigation fund. With Tangata Whenua representation we are to keep our wastewater consent standards up and try and improve them.

A way to go still
This fund is not a challenge to be spent. In my opinion NZ health authorities have their head in the sand over the controlled use of treated water for recycling for the likes of irrigation and other uses. Another issue is that treated water from Chapel Street comes out of the wetlands at Te Maunga at a lesser quality than it goes in due to wildlife contamination. It then gets tipped in the ocean. So we've got a way to go on wastewater.

Harbour outlet to be disconnected
After many years the harbour outlet from Chapel Street Treatment Station at the entrance to the Waikareao estuary channel is to be finally disconnected. It hasn't been used for a number of years and disconnection will ensure finality. Around 1980 I was doing a 24 hour sailathon on the harbour and in the middle of the night they let it go and I was in the middle of it. (Some would say I've been in it most of my life!) When I raised the matter with Council staff (I wasn't on Council then) they did the deny, deny, deny thing which started me on the road to Council.

Logical route unanimous
At Projects and Services we had a round up for a pound up over the Southern Pipeline which will take wastewater from Maleme Street to Te Maunga and allow redistribution of wastewater flows around the city. In a landmark decision Council voted unanimously to route the pipeline down Fraser Street to Memorial Park. Council is awaiting the outcome of the Resource Consent Hearings. A number of us were keen on coming down K Valley to avoid disrupting the city roads. In a comprehensive presentation City Staff and consultants overwhelmingly showed Fraser Street as the logical route. In acknowledgement of the pressure city debt is putting on Council over the next few years the physical works programme has been set back so that the Southern Pipeline is commissioned in the first half of 2014.

Inflow into sewer pipes
Also on the agenda and closely related to Wastewater is the Stormwater Inflow into sewer pipe reduction programme. Some of you are being naughty by deliberately channelling stormwater into the sewer lines. Some of you do it but don't know about it. Staff reported 29% of gully traps (those are the above ground grates) are non compliant in a recent investigation. Wastewater overflows are caused by stormwater ingress in heavy rainy conditions. So Council needs to come down on illegal stormwater connections so that we don't get nasties bubbling in the streets. Staff estimate it's possible to get a 24% reduction in peak flows by getting stormwater out of the sewer system. Council will attend to its own patch and will seek cooperation of city residents in becoming complaint. Unfortunately for some this could be costly and we are concerned to not make this a PR disaster. Elected members were concerned that keeping stormwater out was to be the focus and not a blanket ‘you will comply' edict. Unfortunately there will be some works that Council will be forced to do at owners expense and staff will manage this within the existing systems.

Waiari water supply system
Onto the new Waiari Water Supply System – in the 10 year plan at $68 million but will run out at around $100 million. Council decided to delay it until a 2017 commissioning. Water meters delayed the need for this plant by 10 years thereby providing a much needed financial breathing space. Council is now looking at reducing the city's water demand of 500 litres per person per day plus or minus 10%. So a serious water usage reduction programme is to evolve.
Wide ranging options include rainwater tanks, low flow aerated taps and showers. A report is coming early new year together with another look at a stepped water tariff. These stepped tariffs work well overseas by rewarding reduced usage and incrementally charging more for above average usage. Claims that those in a lower socio economic group are penalised are nonsense. Only 3% of water consumption is used for actual living. The balance is discretionary and our community has to adjust to a changing world. See my earlier comments regarding the use of recycled water – for example to flush toilets – 6 litres a time in most cisterns.
So that's where Council is heading – and taking the community with it in a significant alteration to the way we do things that have for so long its been taken for granted.

Time to move sport centre
The Indoor Sport and Exhibition Centre decision draws closer. Council is awaiting a decision on an application to TECT for significant funding. The Mount Action Centre (MAC) is a leased ex cargo warehouse. It was only ever an interim measure and the time has come to move. Council is hoping for competitive tenders. So with this, the Southern Pipeline, and Waiari, that should pretty much put the kaibosh on any other significant capital expenditure for the foreseeable future. After decades, finally, responsible direction of core city priorities. I never thought I'd see the day!
Councillor's Christmas Fish ‘n' Chip function was a good night. No. 1 The Strand is a great spot. Greg Brownless presented awards and top billing was the laxative award to Rick Curach for failing to get his motions passed. Catherine Stewart and Bill Grainger got top billing in entertainment for their rendition of Possum Busters on the karaoke to the tune of Ghost Busters. Untold talents from unexpected sources was an evening highlight.