Background
The Bluff Wastewater Consenting Project is about finding the best way to treat and dispose of Bluff’s wastewater. The project is required as the current Resource Consent is due to expire in December 2025 and a new resource consent will be needed.
The Bluff Wastewater Treatment Plant (Bluff WWTP), is located at 53 McGorlick Street and was constructed in 2000 to treat the residential and industrial wastewater from the Bluff township. The existing treated wastewater discharge is to the coastal and marine area via a 50-metre outfall pipeline and is authorised by Environment Southland. The plant and wastewater discharge complies with the current Resource Consent conditions.
Council is currently looking for the Best Practicable Option (BPO) to be identified that meets the Bluff community’current and future wastewater servicing needs. To achieve this, we are working in partnership with Te Ao Mārama Inc, as well as engaging with key stakeholders to work through a structured evaluation process to make sure we identify and consider the full range of options.
Shortlisted Wastewater Treatment and Discharge Options
While we started with a long list of options, below are the short-listed options that Council is evaluating further.
| 1) Add new wetland phase |
| 2) Add new land contact phase |
| 3) Apply to land, with existing discharge as backup
4) Apply fully to land. |
Our next steps
Council’s Project Team is currently investigating each of the shortlisted options. As we gain an improved understanding of each option, the information gathered will feed into a more detailed evaluation. The project team will then use the detailed assessments and costings of the shortlisted options, along with stakeholder feedback to identify their recommended Best Practicable Option.
If you have any questions or have feedback for the team to consider, please get in touch by emailing waterconsent@icc.govt.nz
Latest updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need to consider other options to manage wastewater treatment in Bluff?
The project is required as the current Resource Consent is due to expire in December 2025 and a new resource consent will be needed. Before seeking a new Resource Consent, the Council needs to follow a process that will identify the Best Practicable Option (BPO) that meets the Bluff community’s current and future wastewater servicing needs. The BPO selection will form the basis of the application.
What is the current wastewater treatment approach?
Bluff wastewater treatment comprises of primary wastewater screening, an aerated lagoon, clarification, and UV disinfection. The treated wastewater is then discharged to Foveaux Strait via a 50m pipe outfall.
The site is largely automated and is monitored and alarmed by the Council SCADA system. Council staff monitor and respond to alarms on 24/7 basis. The site is inspected at least 3 times a week by plant operators to carry out maintenance and operational activities.
What is the capacity of the Bluff Wastewater Treatment Plant?
The Bluff WwTP treatment capacity is 3,600 cubic meters per day. Since 2000, the Bluff residential population has remained static while the fish processing industry trade waste streams have reduced. As such, the current plant is sufficiently sized to manage current flows with capacity to accommodate further growth.
How are we paying for this project?
$7.7 million has been provided in the Long-term Plan for the consent of the Bluff Wastewater Treatment Plant.
What was considered when shortlisting wastewater treatment options?
The original list of options was assessed using a Traffic Light Assessment (TLA) to evaluate their feasibility against detailed criteria. This evaluation tool took into consideration the following criteria:
- Cultural Values and Protection
- Financial Implications
- Natural Environment
- Public Health Protection
- Resilience
- Social and Community
- Technology and Infrastructure
- Effect on Climate Change; and
- Statutory Risks & Conflict
The assessment team included representatives from ICC, TAMI, the Southern District Health Board (SDHB), and the project team. The Traffic Light Assessment process identified a shortlist of options to carry forward for more detailed evaluation.
What options wastewater treatment options are we currently considering?
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1) Add new wetland phase 2) Add new land contact phase 3) Apply to land, with existing discharge as backup 4) Apply fully to land.
What are some examples of wastewater treatment options that didn’t make the shortlist, and why?
- Convey treated OR untreated wastewater from Bluff to Clifton for additional treatment as part of the future upgrade of Clifton WWTP and discharge – the high cost of the 21km pipeline, operational issues include odour and high salt content and uncertain timing for the upgrade and consenting process.
- Extend the ocean outfall pipeline – Cultural implications of treated wastewater being discharged to the coast without any form of prior land contact.
- Use of slow rate irrigation to land – requires a large land area with associated cost. Also, Bluff wastewater has excessive salt which would not only impact grass production, but consequently reduce nutrient uptake.
- Evaporation – too expensive
