This is an update on the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant abatement notice.
On 12 May 2023 South Wairarapa District Council advised that, effective immediately, applications for new wastewater connections in Martinborough are being put on pause in Martinborough for the time being. This is because the town’s wastewater plant has failed to meet performance and compliance standards.
An abatement notice received from our regulator, Greater Wellington Regional Council (Greater Wellington), for the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) non-compliances required us to:
- Cease. And be prohibited from commencing all unauthorised discharges from the MWWTP,
- Submit a proposal for corrective actions to bring the WWTP into full compliance by 1 December 2022, and
- Comply by 15 August 2023.
Since then, Council staff have worked with Wellington Water Limited (WWL) and Greater Wellington to develop a corrective action plan and a contingency plan.
We are pleased to advise this corrective action plan has been accepted by Greater Wellington.
As a result, Greater Wellington has lifted the abatement notice. A lower level abatement notice has been issued that requires the Council to address the immediate non-compliances related to the plant. This means the plant will continue to remain non-compliant and further connections remain on pause.
Over the next year, from August 2023 to August 2024, three separate packages of work are to be delivered, and these are:
- Desludging planning
- Additional monitoring of wastewater to inform future upgrades
- Investigation and optimisation of the Ultraviolet disinfection equipment.
South Wairarapa District Council Mayor Martin Connelly is keen to see Council continue to follow through as required now that the original abatement notice has been lifted.
“I am delighted to see that we have kept to our word and addressed the abatement notice and are making good progress. District growth is an important part of our plans which is why getting Martinborough’s treatment plant fully compliant again is a priority. The lower level abatement notice is as a result of a lot of hard work by Council staff and WWL.”
The interim Chief Executive, Paul Gardner added, “ The fact that the abatement notice has been lifted is good news and the flexible approach allowed by Greater Wellington reflects a high level of trust in South Wairarapa District Council to address the issues.”
The action plan is Council-funded at the amounts indicated in the Better Off Funding – Project Substitution Decision Report presented at the 7 June Council meeting and approved by Councillors in the 2023/24 Annual Plan.
Council’s website has been updated with more detailed information.
Media contact:
Sheil Priest, General Manager, Communications & Engagement
South Wairarapa District Council
Mob: 027 252 2863
Email: media@swdc.govt.nz
