Source: Auckland Council
Watercare has finished cementing the concrete foundations and plinths to support the state-of-the-art upgrades at the Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Made from reinforced concrete, the nine plinths were installed on top of 99,000 litres of concrete that was poured one week earlier.
Each of the plinths will support a tank that will play a crucial role in the treatment plant’s $38.3 million upgrade.
The upgrade will allow the plant to meet stricter resource consent requirements and to better cope with peak flows during wet weather.
Once the upgrades are finished, six of the nine plinths will hold two Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) tanks, two aerobic tanks and two anoxic tanks.
The other three plinths will support future tanks that can be installed later to enable future population growth in the area.
The upgrades are on track to be completed by the middle of next year.
Watercare head of wastewater Jonathan Piggot says having MABR tanks and Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology integrated into the treatment process will result in cleaner water being discharged into the Hōteo River and surrounding environment.
“The MBR and MABR technology are very efficient in removing organic matter and nutrients.
“This is largely thanks to microorganisms (bugs) which work on our behalf; we just create the right conditions for them.
Watercare cements the concrete foundations and plinths to support the state-of-the-art upgrades at the Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Any pathogens that pass through the membranes face ultraviolet disinfection, ensuring high-quality wastewater discharge.”
Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the layout of the upgraded plant utilises modular design principles, where each part will be built separately and joined together at the treatment plant.
“Opting for a modular design for the upgrade allows us to incorporate existing infrastructure into the new build, reducing construction time and cost.
“It also provides greater flexibility to scale up and update technology to meet future needs and accommodate population growth.”
Lucas says over March the MABR tanks will be lifted into position and the work for installing the supporting and mechanical electricals will get underway on site.
“Over the next couple of months, we’ll also have crews on site installing a new inlet pump station, a new dosing area, control building and new outfall pipeline.
“Traffic management will be in place approximately 300 metres on either side of the entrance on State Highway 1, around 2.5km outside of Wellsford, to allow for the high number of trucks and vehicles that will be coming in and out of the site.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to increase the plant’s capacity and ensure its long-term sustainability.”
