B Clarkin (Ngati Hako)

IN ATTENDANCE: Crs Gordon, Dunn, Laurich, Messrs B Somers (Utilities Manager) and Mrs R Johnson (Council Secretary)

RESOLVED

THAT the apologies of His Worship the Mayor be received and sustained.

WWCC00/14 CARRIED

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.

Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2000

NIWA

WWCC00/15 Carmine/Baker CARRIED

WWCC00/16 Baker/Carmine CARRIED

The Utilities Manager advised that Thames Coromandel District Council are still considering their options regarding connecting to the Apakura Water Take.

Negotiations were being held with Fish and Game regarding their submission opposing the discharge.

The Utilities Manager advised that he had received a response from Fish and Game advising that they no longer oppose the consent application.

There were two other parties that had concerns. One related to screen planting and the other to more general issues.

There was concern that the site required some tree planting and a general tidy up.

It was noted that a new subdivision was proposed in the area and there may be some concern regarding the closeness to the sewage ponds.

The Utilities Manager advised that Environment Waikato staff had suggested smelter slag be used in the rock filter ahead of local quarry rock. This is to achieve a reduction in phosphorous concentrations. The local quarry rock requires a slightly larger volume to achieve an equivalent void ratio to smelter slag and requires a special run to produce the rock to the correct grading. This change was unlikely to affect the total price for the project, but would limit having a competitively priced supply of material.

A discussion was held regarding the use of smelter slag as opposed to quarry rock.

It was noted that using smelter slag had helped in the issue of a 20 year consent for the Paeroa Sewage Pond.

RESOLVED

THAT an investigation be held into both options; smelter slag and quarry rock.

WWCC00/17 Troughton/Baker CARRIED

The 12 months report on the APS trial being undertaken at Ngatea was presented for member’s information.

The Waihi Sewerage Jetflote Trial had been held over the week starting the 25 September.

The Utilities Manager advised that the trial had been very successful. Some photographs of the trial were circulated.

Negotiations were continuing with Environment Waikato staff regarding possible suitable conditions.

The following mitigation was being proposed;

Proposed Mitigation: The following are proposed to enhance the environment of the stream and to minimise water abstractions during dry periods:

Improving fish passage at the existing dam and proposed upper intake;

Riparian planting for bank stability, water quality improvement and shade for in-stream users.

Water meters have been installed at all supply connections and with user pays system water consumption is reduced.

Implement leakage detection measures to reduce system losses.

Implement public awareness on water use and conservation (through newspapers, flyers, etc.)

Monitor water usage and implement water restrictions if and when required.

RESOLVED

That the proposed Waihi water supply mitigation measures be supported.

WWCC00/18 Carmine/Baker CARRIED

The Utilities Manager advised that a proposal had been received from Bruce Wallace Partners evaluating the possible treatment options and to determine the most practical and economic option for Waitakaruru’s sewage treatment, while allowing for future expansion.

A discussion was held about the importance of this sewage treatment plant for the community of Waitakaruru.

RESOLVED

That Bruce Wallace Partners be engaged to obtain resource consents for the Waitakaruru sewage treatment plant at an approximate cost of $5,000.

WWCC00/19 Troughton/Baker CARRIED

The following item was included in the Works Committee agenda.

Included in this years estimates was $100,000 to further investigate the potential of bore water for the Waihi supply. A previous investigation found there could be a very under ground water source in one corner of the Waihi basin. Cost estimates showed that if the ground water were viable, it would be significantly cheaper than developing a surface water source. Further investigation was required to prove or disprove the viability of a ground water resource. It is proposed to undertake the investigation in two stages. The first was to analyse as much easily access data as possible. This would include testing any bores in the area. Should that investigation indicated a good possibility of a suitable water supply bore, then test bores and test pumping could then take place. Approval was being sort to undertake the first stage of the groundwater investigation.

RESOLVED

THAT a report be commissioned further investigating the possibility of suitable bore water in the Waihi basin at an estimated cost of $15,000.

WWCC00/20 Baker/Carmine CARRIED

The Utilities Manager advised that Wallace Corporation had lodged a resource consent application to discharge treated wastewater from meat processing and by-products manufacturing operation onto land off Wood Rd Waitoa.

Environment Waikato had advised that 5 of the 14 pastoral irrigation consents issues 4 years ago had lapsed due to not being utilised. This had left 1% of the Q5 flow or 17,000 m3/day that could be allocated. The Utilities Manager had verbally advised Environment Waikato of the impacts through high turbidities caused by the current low flows and that he would have serious concerns if any additional water extractions were allocated. Reducing the overall extraction from the Waihou would improve the problem of high turbidity. The alternative for Council would be to move the intake further up stream, or establish storage so extraction only occurred during the cleaner part of the tidal cycle. The storage option was likely to be the cheaper and would cost approximately $1 million.

A copy of a newsletter called ON-SITE NewZ was presented for member’s information. The newsletter was compiled by a well respected organisation and covered operational experiences with composting and back country sewage treatment.

Tuesday 7 November 2000 at 10.00 am

The Utilities Manager advised that a new copy of the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2000 was now available.

A letter had been received from NIWA regarding standardising wastewater discharge consent.

The meeting closed at 11.40 am.

CONFIRMED

D Johansen

November 2000