Recommissioning Napier’s Wastewater Treatment Plant

Napier’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) miliscreen and both biological trickling filters are now up and running. Six months after the Plant was inundated by floodwaters and silt caused by Cyclone Gabrielle Phases 1 and 2 of the recommissioning programme are now complete. The plant suffered extensive damage and the repair programme was complex.

A programme of work was established to reinstate the plant:

Phase 1: Recommissioning milliscreens - Complete

The wastewater treatment plant reached a major milestone on Thursday 6 April when the milliscreen was successfully restored to full operation.

Milliscreens are a traditional basic facility used across industry to separate large solids, materials, and waste products. Recommissioning the milliscreens allows a basic level of filtering of wastewater before it enters the outfall pipe.

Phase 2: Recommissioning the Biological Trickling Filters - In progress

Phase 2 saw the reinstatement of the Biological Trickling Filters (BTF), which means wastewater is now fully treated before it enters the outfall pipe.

BTF’s create a biological environment for breaking down harmful bacteria in the remaining wastewater over a period of time.

Water restrictions update

Napier water restrictions have now been lifted meaning householders can return to normal water use. But managing water demand by changing habits is an important part of adapting to climate changes and protecting precious resources.

Simple changes like only flushing the 3Ps, giving the garden a decent soaking less often, and repairing leaks around the house can go a long way in managing our water resources and looking after our stormwater and wastewater systems.