Upper Clutha ratepayers can take comfort from the fact that they are not affected by issues around the Shotover Wastewater Plant near Queenstown, says deputy mayor Quentin Smith.

Some Queenstown Lakes residents plan to stage a protest tomorrow (Wednesday March 26) against plans to discharge treated wastewater into the Shotover River, following media coverage in Queenstown of the issue.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is under pressure over its disposal field at the plant and has been taken to the Environment Court by freshwater regulator Otago Regional Council (ORC).

When the plant was first opened, ORC permitted treated water to be discharged into the Shotover River. The disposal fields (designed to allow treated water from the wastewater plant to soak into the ground prior to entering groundwater and ultimately the river system) were added more recently in consideration of cultural sensitivities.

The plant has since had problems with persistent ponding and spillover from the disposal fields.

Quentin told the Wānaka App that Upper Clutha ratepayers can “take some comfort” in the fact they will not have to pay for any upgrades to the Shotover Plant, and that this area’s wastewater system (Project Pure) generally performs well.

Read more: Queenstown wastewater woes highlight infrastructure deficit - deputy mayor

Quentin said wastewater costs are paid for according to which scheme ratepayers are connected to. 

“Project Pure performs pretty well,” he said, despite some challenges around aeration. The project also has three plants, allowing for extra capacity should one be required to go offline, and there is also land to expand the plants to in the case of increased demand.

Quentin Smith PHOTO: Wānaka App

He added that a major investment in wastewater for the Upper Clutha will kick off later this year.

Read more: Bigger than Ben Hur: Multi-million dollar wastewater upgrades on the books

QLDC is considering using emergency powers to discharge the treated wastewater from the Shotover Treatment Plant into the river.

QLDC infrastructure boss Tony Avery issued a statement to media on Friday saying the council has a proposal to rectify the problem in the short-term, with an announcement due Wednesday morning.

A Queenstown community group, Queenstown Community Action, has organised a protest at the plant on Wednesday morning, where the announcement will be made at 10am by QLDC to media. 

Longer term, the council has set aside $77.5 million in its 10-year plan for a new disposal system at Shotover, which is expected to take years to implement.