Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades project
Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown
Council’s 2025-34 Long-Term Plan includes significant upgrades to the wastewater treatment plants in Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown. These upgrades are part of the Council’s commitment to improving water management and infrastructure. The decision was made to manage capital infrastructure in-house until the new water services entity Waitī Waters is established on 1 July 2027. With a focus on cost control and efficiency, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrades project is part of implementing this strategic direction.
About this project
The WWTP upgrades project is essential for the sustainable growth aspirations of South Wairarapa communities. All three wastewater treatment plants need biological nutrient upgrades to address resource consent non-compliance.
The Council has worked closely with Greater Wellington Regional Council to agree to achievable and technically proven enhancements to improve environmental and technical performance.
Upgrades
The WWTP upgrades project will deliver the following:
- Martinborough and Greytown wastewater treatment plants will have Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR) installed as the primary process for nutrient removal and Greytown wastewater treatment plant will also have an upgraded UV disinfection system to reduce pathogen risk.
- In accordance with the consent at Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant, a Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF) system will be installed for nutrient removal.
- All three treatment plants will have inlet screen upgrades to remove solids that clog up equipment. Additionally, there will be associated upgrades of power supplies and control systems for the new equipment.
Following a rigorous tender evaluation process, Filtec Limited has been engaged and has demonstrated strong capability in delivering comparable wastewater treatment upgrades at operational plants.
Timeline
The project is scheduled for completion within the 2027/28 financial year, which means that project completion will be under the banner of Waitī Waters, Wairarapa–Tararua’s new regional water services organisation.
Read our media release about the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades project on the Council website.