3.1 Meeting held 7 November 2000

5.1 Ngatea STP Consent Renewal

5.2 Waihi Sewerage Jetflote Trial

5.3 Waihi Water Consent Renewal

5.4 Paeroa Sewerage Wet Weather Overflows

5.5 Whiritoa Sewerage Treatment

5.6 Waitakaruru Sewage Discharge Consent

5.7 Waihi Bore Water Investigation

5.8 Water Take Resource Consents

5.9 Water Conservation Measures

5.10 On Farm Water Use

5.11 Dairy Shed Water Quality

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman is to call for late items to be accepted.

In the event of a late item, an explanation must be given as to why the item was not on the agenda and why discussion cannot be delayed for a subsequent meeting.

3.1 MEETING HELD 7 NOVEMBER 2000 1-4

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Water and Wastewater Consultative Committee held on Tuesday 7 November 2000 be taken as read and confirmed.

5.1 NGATEA STP CONSENT RENEWAL (42.002.017)

A meeting was held with Environment Waikato to discuss possible consent conditions. It is anticipated the consent conditions will reflect what is achievable from the proposed upgrading and will also reflect the size of the community being serviced.

The following graph is of the BoD concentrations in the Ngatea treated effluent. Of interest is the noticeable reduction in BoD concentration that occurred around December 1998. The first aerator was installed in December 1997 and this was changed to a larger aerator in December 1999. It is likely the reduction is as a result of better use of the aerator.

5.2 WAIHI SEWERAGE JETFLOTE TRIAL (42.601.017) 5-32

Attached is a report detailing the test results from the Waihi Jetflote trial. The trial was successful in determining possible weaknesses in the Jetflote process when applied to New Zealand conditions. These concerns include;

The Waihi ponds typically discharge around 600,000 m3/year. This is made up of Sewage 510,000 m3/year, Rainfall on the ponds 135,000 m3/year less evaporation 45,000 m3/year. The flow would be variable and is likely to reflect the flow in the river. I.e. when the river flow is low, the discharge rate would also be low. With a possible chemical cost of 13.5c/m3, the chemical cost would be approximately $81,000 p.a. In addition to this there is depreciation costs, pumping costs, sludge disposal, and UV operation. Other mechanical process is likely to have similar capital and operating costs. The alternative to a mechanical process like Jetflote is land disposal of the effluent. The option of land disposal has been previously investigated.

To keep this project progressing is recommended that further bench top tests are carried out to determine the optimum chemical dosing of the Jetflote process. From this an economic analysis on the chemical stripping option can be carried out and the results compared with the land disposal option.

1.That further desktop testing be carried out to establish optimum chemical dosing.

2.That a concept design and economic analysis is undertaken to compare the chemical stripping process to land disposal.

5.3 WAIHI WATER CONSENT RENEWAL (43.603.017)

A further on site meeting was held with representatives from Ngati Tamatera. To date there has been no formal response from Ngati Tamatera regarding the proposals discussed at that meeting.

5.4 PAEROA SEWAGE WET WEATHER OVERFLOWS (42.301.020)

Nothing further to report.

5.5 WHIRITOA SEWAGE TREATMENT (42.602.017)

Nothing further to report.

5.6 WAITAKARURU SEWAGE DISCHARGE CONSENT (42.004.017)

Awaiting Consultants report.

5.7 WAIHI BORE WATER INVESTIGATION (43.603.003)

Awaiting Consultants report.

5.8 WATER TAKE RESOURCE CONSENTS (43.000.017)

With the resource consents for most of the water takes expiring next year, it was decided packaging the consents together and have only one Consultancy firm assist Council with the preparation and lodging of the consents. Five Consultancy firms were invited to tender for the work. Meritec were awarded the contract as they had the lowest tenderer, appropriate background, skills and resources to undertake the work. Meritec will be attending the February meeting to discuss the issues and determine the level of appropriate consultation.

5.9 WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES (43.000.101) 33

With the abstraction of a high percentage of some streams for water supply, there will be an expectation that the water is used wisely. Water meters are a significant step towards wise water use. In the Auckland region and Australian cities, there is considerable research on how water usage can be reduced. Currently all household appliances are rated for electricity usage, Australia is now looking at including water usage ratings to assist consumers.

Attached is a survey undertaken by EcoWater showing a dwelling could save 25% of its daily water use by using a water efficient dishwasher, washing machine and using duel flush toilets. The water usage of a household appliance is not a normal pre purchase consideration, unlike a car when the fuel consumption is normally a consideration. Changes to community attitudes towards water usage will take time to occur and will involve education. Many of the larger councils are grappling with how this should be undertaken and some are developing educational kits for schools. For the Hauraki District to lead the water conservation process would be an enormous task and there are advantages in utilising resources developed by other Councils.

If Council is seen to be promoting wise water use, then the renewing of the consents for water take from the small bush streams will be made easier to justify. Some feed back on how best to communicate this information to the water consumers would be of assistance.

5.10 ON FARM WATER USE (43.001.003)

Since 1996 the monthly water consumption of 10 farms has been routinely monitored. The monitoring has shown up regular significant leakage. Based on those 10 farms there is a probability of 1 in 8 farms having a significant leak in any one month. Currently the 10 farms are being surveyed to see if there is any commonality between the cause of leaks. If some commonalities is found, this can then be developed into leakage reduction guidelines to assist farmers.

5.11 DAIRY SHED WATER USE (43.001.005)

This item is and extract from the Works Agenda.

Dairy farmers are being asked to complete a questionnaire as to the quality of water in their dairy sheds. The questionnaire is based on the MAF standard D106.1. The questioner is based on a pass/fail approach to measuring water quality with only one or two tests required every few years. Council’s supplies are tested on a risk basis with frequent testing undertaken. The more tests that are undertaken, the higher the chances of a test not meeting the standard, but the greater the certainty of a water quality being achieved. The Council testing should be has to be interpreted differently to the MAF requirements. Currently efforts are being made by the Dairy Group to apply the Council test results to the MAF questionnaire, this approach is likely to result in the Council supply not meeting the MAF requirements.