How does the existing plant operate?
The existing plant receives wastewater, treats it and then discharges it to land before the water travels to the Waikato River as groundwater. While this form of treatment has been acceptable in the past, environmental standards are now higher. We also have higher aspirations, and legal obligations to, the health of the Waikato River. So plans are now well in train to build a brand new plant.
Is the current plant still operating safely?
Yes, absolutely. The Cambridge wastewater treatment plan has been operating under several resource consents, first granted in 1997. Over the past four years, we’ve been upgrading the plant to comply with changing operating conditions.
In December 2020, Council was granted a short-term resource consent to allow the plant to continue operating and discharging wastewater. A condition of the approval was that a resource consent for a new plant was lodged and that the new plant be operational by 1 Dec 2026.
How will the new plant compare to the existing one?
We’re committed to meeting the highest possible standards when it comes to wastewater treatment. The proposed new Cambridge plant will treat wastewater to a standard that is comparable to the best treatment plants in New Zealand. This will be done utilising Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology.
The new plant will also align with Te Ture Whaimana o te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River and with Tai Tumu Tai Pari Tai Ao, the Waikato-Tainui Environmental Plan. These are both legal requirements.
It will comply fully with Waikato Regional Plans and any conditions laid down by the Waikato Regional Council while also taking into account matters of importance to tāngata whenua.
Will the new plant look different?
Yes! The new plant will look very different to the one that exists now in Matos Segedin Drive.
The existing Cambridge wastewater treatment facility is largely a pond system (including wetland ponds), requiring a very large area for it to operate.
The new plant will consist of buildings, tanks, and large concrete structures instead of the current pond-based system. It will occupy a smaller footprint – around one-third of the size of the existing plant. That means unused land on the site which is not required for the new plant can, in the future, be remediated and put to better use.
The new plant will also include its own on-site solar farm, generating enough energy to power the plant during the day. It will also take into account visual impact, noise and odour management plus meet the highest quality effluent standards. Biosolids produced by the plant will be taken off site for re-use as compost via a third-party.
