Tararua - Cleaning up Our Rivers A real NZ response to cleaning up our rivers has started. Council is lining all three Dannevirke sewerage ponds, at a total cost of $3.75 million spread over three years. In addition, work is well underway in Woodville to line the pond located there. In Pahiatua, work will start next year to improve treatment, and options for land based discharge will be considered. The total cost of all these projects over the next 10 years of the Long Term Plan is $8.1 million, with $2.1 million of subsidy available from central government. Council’s share is loan funded. This initiative has only been made possible by the Government, the Ministry for the Environment and Horizons Regional Council. It is their foresight and support, together with ratepayer finances, that place Tararua as the one of the first districts to step up and start cleaning up some of our rivers that are struggling with excess nutrients. This also meets our commitment in the Tararua to the Manawatu River Accord that sets out our goal for a sustainable district and region. Viking Containment is now busy double-welding a thick Geoshield polythene over carefully drained and preened ponds. It is somewhat ironic that a very dry winter is allowing us do the work necessary to improve the sustainability of our communities. The Council Assets team have been overseeing the preparation and laying of smooth clay bases, working against the clock, to make the most of the opportunity that our climate is providing. Over the next three years, projects to improve the single town point discharges will continue. Land based disposal means that we can re-use the nutrients. “The treatment in Dannevirke is at such a high standard that it supports this reuse,” said Peter Wimsett, Manager Strategy and District Development. The Council appreciates the support of the Ministry of the Environment in carrying out this work. We are proud of what collaboration can achieve and what a small rural community can accomplish.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 21:43:28 +0000
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