What is the service area of the wastewater system and can the service be extended to include additional properties?
All areas zoned Residential and Small Settlement are included. Outlying houses may be able to be included on a case-by-case basis.
What happens at the wastewater treatment plant?
The treatment process includes screening, biological treatment, settlement, disinfection and irrigation to land
What opportunities exist for the public to have input during the process?
The Christchurch City Council will actively keep residents informed of progress and encourages participation form individuals to discuss their connection to the system. The resource consent process has taken local submissions into consideration when designing and planning the operation of the system.
Who is paying for the scheme in 2014?
The Christchurch City Council will meet the cost of building and maintaining the system while the dwelling owner will pay to connect to it.
Council will assist were possible by recommending a tradesperson and coordinating the consents, and will encourage connection at the time of the scheme construction. The dwelling owner will pay normal Council wastewater rates if the dwelling is in the area of the scheme, even if they have not connected. Dwellings outside the area will not pay wastewater rates.
What are my obligations as a property owner, once the system is up and running?
You will be responsible for any connection work on your own property. This will involve disconnecting and making safe the septic system and laying a pipe from the house to the connection point at the property boundary. A building consent will be required for this work. Council requires all property owners to connect within two years of commission of the system. You will pay for the power to run any pumps on your property and will be responsible for wiring to that pump station.
