Three Waters Sub-Committee report for HCA AGM 2021

Three WatersCommittee ReportEnvironmental News

2 Oct

1.Stormwater

A procurement document is currently being developed for works to mitigate erosion due to the discharge of stormwater over Flora Dora cliff. It is intended that a tender be let late October. We requested (24 August):

The planting is increased
Wherever possible existing plants are relocated
Planting is undertaken to reduce the visual impact of structures
That representatives of the HCA are consulted by QLDC and contractor when it comes time to remove and add extra plants

2. Freshwater

Concern was expressed to QLDC about the number of lateral failures on Capell Ave and Lakeview Terrace. QLDC has advised (17 August) as follows:

“ in regard to the water leaks Jesse had previously fed back that we have been experiencing issues associated with the materials used around that era leading to premature failure. Currently the failures are not at a quantity that would justify proactive replacement of the laterals. I am confident to say that we have far better control on both the quality of workmanship and material used on our network, so we do not anticipate further issues with new installations.”

3.Wastewater

A summary of the current situation and the options going forward is on HCA’s website (see Hāwea Wastewater Investment)

3.1 Existing plant upgrade

QLDC advised (11 October) as follows:

“QLDC has now procured a contractor to deliver the design and build of an upgrade to the Hawea wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The successful contractor is Apex Environmental Limited, Apex are a Timaru based water and wastewater specialist. They are currently completing the construction of the new Cardrona WWTP (a developer led, but co-funded project that will shortly vest to Council), this recent experience positions them well to deliver a high quality product in our sometimes challenging environment.
The successful proposal incorporates Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology which will operate as a complimentary process to the existing oxidation pond, and will specifically target the removal of Ammonia and Nitrogen from the wastewater. MBBR is an internationally proven technology with a strong track record, particularly in cold climates where some other treatment approaches struggle. In the MBBR process specially designed floating plastic media is provided as a growing platform for the microorganisms responsible for treating the wastewater. The media provides significant surface area for microorganisms to attach and grow, providing higher treatment capacities in smaller footprints than suspended growth processes (those without media), whilst also improving the resilience of the microorganisms to colder weather. These microorganisms are naturally occurring in the right conditions, and consume the organic material to treat the wastewater.
The project also includes upgrades to the effluent disposal field which will enable the field to be better optimised, particularly through the fringe seasons. This upgrade will include increased levels or instrumentation and automation.
The physical works are expected to commence later this month for completion in June 2022. Otago Regional Council (ORC) has been notified of the contract and has granted an extension to the current abatement notice to 30 June 2022.
QLDC have also commenced work on re-consenting the treated effluent discharge from the plant, as the current consent held with ORC is due to expire in November 2022. As part of the consent application process QLDC will be making contact with the key stakeholder groups (including the Hawea Community Association) in the near future.”

It is planned to have the interim solution operational by April 2022. QLDC expect to secure a short-term consent for 3-5 years for this solution. It may provide sufficient capacity to meet the demand generated by stage 1 of the SHA.

3.2 Long term solution

Four short listed options were scoped: 1) New treatment plant and irrigation, 2) Pump to project pure, 3) Upgrade existing plant with rapid filtration 4) Maintain status quo with interim upgrades.

QLDC advised on 23 Sept:

“We completed our multi-criteria assessment of the shortlisted options, with the pipeline via Albert Town performing better than the others. Originally we were planning for the balance of business case development to follow in short order, seeking final approval next month; however, we have since made a call to delay final approval to allow for the following to occur:
- to complete concept design of the option, allowing us to further understand and test some residual questions around operability and resilience before making a final recommendation – no significant concerns at this stage. In particular we will look at implications/requirements of pumping wastewater downhill, the downstream effects on the receiving network, and to consider the age and structural condition of the two existing bridge crossings we plan to utilise (being Camp Hill Road and Lake Hāwea-Albert Town Road).
- to provide more time for stakeholder engagement, and for an engagement report to be developed in support of the business case decision-making process. Our original programme for this engagement activity was already tight, with the most recent Covid lockdown making this infeasible.
- to incorporate the outcome of our Infrastructure Acceleration Fund Expression of Interest (if successful) – more on this below for context.”

The Three Waters Committee is seek further information relating to the above but at the time of writing had not had a response.

4. Funding and rates implications

4.1 District wide rating on water supply and wastewater

The consultation document for QLDC ten year plan (2021-2031) stated:

“As we move into a significant period of investment in the 3 waters space, it is timely to consider a review of our charging regimen. Currently, we charge a separate targeted rate for each water supply and wastewater scheme. This allows us to recover the actual operating costs associated with each scheme to those ratepayers connected or able to connect. This approach has been appropriate where we have had quite diverse levels of service applying to each scheme.
With significant capital investment required to comply with drinking water standards and to meet the increasingly stringent wastewater consent conditions, the differences in levels of service between schemes will become less significant. This provides the opportunity to consider moving to a standardised approach to charging for these services. Under this approach we would look to introduce a system where all the operating costs associated with running the water supply schemes would be aggregated and charged out by way of a universal targeted rate across the district. The same approach would also apply for waste-water.
It would make sense to introduce this system within the next five years once the capital investment has been completed for water supply. It is our intention to consult on this issue in more detail in the next Ten Year Plan in 2024. In the meantime, we are keen to see what you think of this concept.” P30

Given some of the earlier projected costs for a new waste water system and thus the costs each Hāwea rate payer would be up for HCA in its submission on the Long Term Plan supported the proposed change in rating.

4.2 Central Government Infrastructure Acceleration Fund

QLDC advised 23 Sept as follows:

“we have infrastructure investments planned over the next ten years that will be critical enablers of any further growth in Hāwea. In particular, borefield capacity and water storage, wastewater management, and an extension to Capell Ave. We have requested support via the fund in order to progress (and/or subsidise) these planned investments sooner than our TYP would otherwise allow. I’m remaining realistic about our chances (you may have read that the fund is oversubscribed - $5bn requested, $1bn available) – we should have an indication from Kainga Ora before the end of the year. In the event our application is successful it would change how the wastewater investment is funded – this will need to be addressed in the business case.”

5. Three Waters Reform

Tuesday 28 September, Council’s Elected Members unanimously voted on a position statement on the Three Waters Reform.

The statement summary is as follows:

QLDC supports the need for regulation, a strong strategic framework and the key outcomes that the Government seeks to achieve.
QLDC will strongly and actively oppose Government mandating the proposed Entity based model for water services delivery.
Government needs to demonstrate leadership and transparency in the delivery of this reform programme and establish a full programme of meaningful engagement with New Zealanders before taking further steps. An undue burden has been placed upon councils to broker this proposal with their communities, despite a contested evidence base and the profound implications such a change could have on the nature of local democracy.

The Chief Executive will provide Council’s feedback to the Minister of Local Government by Friday, 1 October 2021.

A decision to provide feedback does not commit the Council to a particular position on a future model for three waters service delivery or to continued participation in the Government’s reform programme. For more information on the Three Waters Reform visit https://www.qldc.govt.nz/.../major.../three-waters-reform