Update 28 June- The unscheduled discharge ended on 28 June at 1.30pm.
Media Release: Waikato District Council, 23 June 2010
Due to high rainfall levels, Waikato District Council will today be undertaking an unscheduled discharge of treated wastewater outside the normal tidal periods. The ponds at the Raglan Wastewater Treatment Plant have reached maximum storage capacity, making a discharge of treated wastewater necessary to reduce the risk of the ponds overtopping.
The tertiary treated wastewater will be pumped through an ultraviolet steriliser before being discharged through the Raglan harbour wastewater outfall pipe.
The duration of the discharge will depend on the amount of rainfall, and the time it will take to return storage levels in the treatment ponds to an appropriate level.
Council is permitted to pump treated wastewater outside the daily tidal periods, up to 20 days per year in the case of high rainfall. Council has used one day of the available 20 days permitted.
The public will be notified when the discharge has ended.