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Council
28 July 2022
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22. Christchurch
Wastewater Treatment Plant Recovery Update Presentation
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Reference Te Tohutoro:
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22/935333
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Presenter(s) Te kaipāhō :
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Michael
Croucher – Senior Programme Manager
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1. Summary
1.1 This
update is scheduled to be considered at a reconvened meeting of the Council on
3 August 2022.
1.2 This
presentation provides an update on the recovery activities following the
Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant fire in November 2021.
1.3 At
the Finance & Performance Committee on 28 April 2022 it was resolved that
fortnightly updates would be provided to either the Finance and Performance
Committee or Council.
1.4 This written update includes a summary of the activities presented
by staff to the Finance and Performance Committee on 30 June 2022.
1.5 Staff
will provide a Power Point presentation to the Council in support of this
update with the activities that have been undertaken since that meeting, those
currently underway and next steps.
2. Key Points / Background
Filter
Media Removal Contract
2.1 Southern
Demolition & Salvage Limited were awarded the contract to remove the media
from the Trickling Filter structures on 11 May 2022.
2.2 Machinery
began arriving on site 12 May 2022 with media removal scheduled to start 6 June
2022.
2.3 The
media material is scheduled to be completely removed by early Spring 2022.
2.4 Works
progress is currently ahead of schedule.
Summary of Recovery Actions March 2022 – end
June 2022
2.5 Since
March the following happened:
· The material in the Trickling Filters in mid-March unexpectedly
started emitting foul odours, resulting from a combination of wet and warm
weather conditions
· Staff talked to potential contractors and investigated options for
filter material removal, including on-site visits.
· Approval to remove the filter media from the Trickling Filters was
received from our insurers on 25 March 2022.
· 25 March – 5 April: Procurement options investigated to ensure
requirements under Council’s procurement process and Office of the
Auditor General best practice guidance were being met.
· Executive Team briefed on 6 April and decision on procurement
options made 11 April.
· 13 April meeting with preferred contractor held to confirm
requirements.
· 14 – 28 April: Contractor securing sub-contractors and
suppliers. At same time Council staff were preparing contract
documentation.
· Finance and Performance Committee meeting with project briefing and
deputations held 28 April.
· Air quality air grab sampling commenced 28 April.
· Proposal received from preferred contractor on 28 April, with staff
review completed 2 May.
· General terms and conditions of contract finalised 3 May.
· Informal briefing to the Insurance Subcommittee on insurance matters
given on 6 May.
· 10 May: Insurance Subcommittee meeting (with morning site visit to
CWTP).
· Letter of award issued to contractor 11 May.
· Site establishment commenced 12 May.
· Community support package approved 26 May and rolled out from 27
May.
· Oxidation ponds struggling with increased organic load leading to
increased odour and a reduction in bird numbers due to non-conducive habitat
for midges reported 26 May.
· Meeting with Ministry of Education to discuss school support 27 and
31 May.
· Removal of Trickling Filter media commenced afternoon Friday 3 June.
· Adaptive Recovery Action Plan presented 13 June.
· Audit & Risk presentation 15 June.
· Insurance Subcommittee presentation 16 June.
· Wastewater Treatment Plant Fire Communications Advisory Group first
meeting 21 June.
· Afternoon and evening public meetings held at Bromley Community
Centre Tuesday 28 June.
· Finance and Performance Committee presentation Thursday 30 June.
Community Support
2.6 As
of Tuesday morning 28 June there had been 2,324 in zone grants made
($464,800.00) and 151 out of zone grants ($30,200.00). The number of in zone
grants equates to 69% of all in zone eligible applicants.
2.7 The
number of applications being received slowed drastically over the last two
weeks of June.
2.8 A
report is being provided to the reconvened Council meeting on 3 August to
update the Council on the cross-agency community wellbeing response work
stream, recommend a pathway for information and targeted support to continue,
and recommend additional funding to enable this.
Social Recovery Plan
2.9 A
Social Recovery Plan is being prepared that will include all the work streams
in the community support packages including workshops, public meetings and
financial support through partner agencies.
2.10 We are
progressing development of the Social Recovery Plan with CDHB, Pegasus Health,
Ministry for Social Development and Ministry of Education. We expect a
first draft to be finalised first week of July and peer reviewed with partners
and the Community Advisory Group. We expect to brief council 26 July and
report to to the reconvened Council meeting on 3 August.
Support for Schools and Early Childhood Learning
Centres
2.11 We have met with
a number of school Principals and Managers of Early Childhood Education Centres
together with the Ministry of Education to discuss support options.
2.12 The approach is
being contributed to by Council and Ministry of Education as a partnership.
2.13 The Ministry have
supplied air purifiers for schools and Early Childhood Learning Centres.
2.14 Seven schools and
19 Early Childhood Education Centres are receiving grants from Council.
Economic/Business Support
2.15 Staff have met
with representatives from Christchurch NZ and the Christchurch Chamber of
Commerce to discuss options for supporting businesses situated within the
community support zone.
2.16 Follow up contact
with affected business was made where it was identified that impact on workers
was the main issue at the moment and that feedback and communication was key.
2.17 Ongoing
engagement with businesses was identified.
Environmental and Health Monitoring as at end June
2.18 Six rounds of
grab samples have been completed, which identified reduced sulphur compounds as
being the primary components.
2.19 Hydrogen Sulphide
has been shown as a good indicator gas of the area affected and it has been
detected at levels which can cause annoyance and symptoms such as nausea,
headache and eye/nose irritation.
2.20 A map of grab
sample locations was shown.
2.21 Three continuous
Hydrogen Sulphide monitors are in place (Bromley School and two residential
locations) with a further six 4G continuous Hydrogen Sulphide monitors on order
to be deployed mid-July.
2.22 A
map depicting the placement location for the continuous monitors was shown.
2.23 Odour
detection for Hydrogen Sulphide is 0.005 ppm however
there is a wide range of sensitivity within the population and it was noted
that this sensitivity decreases with age.
2.24 At
concentrations substantially above the odour threshold leads to annoying and
discomforting symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
2.25 The
Worksafe TWA (8 hour) 5 ppm and STEL (15 minute) 10 ppm.
2.26 The
Californian Office of Environmental Health Assessment (OEHHA) list the exposure
level (one hour) for Hydrogen Sulphide gas at 0.03 ppm
to avoid annoyance, nuisance, headaches and nausea. At this level it will
be detected by 83% people and will be discomforting to 40% of people.
2.27 Ministry
for the Environment ambient (one hour) guideline value is 0.005 ppm to avoid
odour nuisance rather than specific health effects.
2.28 A
graph showing recording results from one of the continuous monitors was shown.
2.29 Councils
Ecologist confirmed that only Canada geese remain at the ponds and some shag
species roosting in nearby trees. All other birdlife that relied on
midges or their larvae as a food source have left the ponds. The collapse
of the midge population at the ponds was reported as being due to reduced water
quality.
2.30 An
earlier Avian Botulism outbreak was not the reason for the reduction in bird
numbers and neither were the chemicals used in the fighting of the fire.
2.31 Weekly
meetings with the Medical Officer of Health and Environment Canterbury
continue.
2.32 Home
owners on both sides of the treatment plant have reported a black mould like
staining appearing on painted exterior surfaces of their houses.
2.33 A
specialist firm has carried out testing and mould types have been found to be
typical for an outdoor environment with no types of concern identified.
2.34 Further
investigation to determine causes of the paint discolouration is being
undertaken.
2.35 Noise
measurements taken along the Shortland Street site boundary confirm that the
noise generated by the chipping unit is well below Construction Standards
limits. Noise contours modelling for where the chipper will be placed for
removal of media from the second Trickling Filter indicate that it will also be
below these limits.
CWTP Interim Operations as at 30 June 2022
2.36 The
Trickling Filter by-pass pipeline is complete and testing is underway.
2.37 The
temporary pumps that were set up to pump-over from the aeration basins
(converted clarifiers) to the existing clarifiers to support early growth of
the sludge biomass are being disestablished as the 16 new permanent pumps are
installed with commissioning expected to start in July.
2.38 The
new pipework between the aeration basins (converted clarifiers) and the
channels leading to the existing clarifiers is being installed.
2.39 The
options assessment that is currently underway for replacement of the trickling
filters will be completed November / December 2022
2.40 Interim
solution has been designed to operation for up to five years.
2.41 Critical
spares are being kept on site and increased maintenance has been scheduled to
mitigate the reduced resilience in the treatment process that has resulted from
the loss of the Trickling Filters.
Oxidation Ponds
2.42 Oxidation
ponds continue to perform poorly given the high organic loads and cool
temperatures.
2.43 Once
the interim solution (activated sludge plant) has been commissioned it is
expected to take 8 weeks for the ponds to recover to a level where odour
emissions have reduce to acceptable levels. This is expected to be
achieved in September.
2.44 Wastewater
discharge to the outfalls continues to exceed standard values for Faecal
Coliforms and Enterococci, we are notifying Environment Canterbury and the
Medical Officer of Health.
2.45 Beach
sampling increased to twice per week and the results are within standard
values.
Trickling Filter Media Removal
2.46 Five
hundred and twenty-five tonne of filter material had been removed and delivered
to landfill as of 23 June.
2.47 Progress
to date is promising, first structure will be completely emptied by 1 July -
six weeks ahead of schedule.
2.48 Construction
of ramp 2 will be completed 1 July - as scheduled.
2.49 Removal
of material from second structure will commence 4 July - as scheduled.
2.50 Currently on
track to complete removal ahead of 7 September.
2.51 Image
of media removal progress shown.
Communications
2.52 Daily rolling
blog updated 2-3 times a day.
2.53 Website updated
2-3 times a week.
2.54 Video now up and
more in the pipeline.
2.55 Weekly
e-newsletter and in hard-copy.
2.56 A2 posters
updated on info panels at community providers and Eastgate Mall.
2.57 Flyers
distributed to promote community meetings.
Coming Up
2.58 7 July: South New
Brighton Community Meeting.
2.59 13 July: Public
webinar.
2.60 Permanent pumps
installed and operating in July with progressive improved in quality of
wastewater being discharged to Oxidation Ponds.
2.61 Continuous 4G air
monitoring devices being rolled out over the first two weeks of July.
2.62 Ramp 2 expected
to be completed 1 July.
2.63 Removal of
material from second Trickling Filter structure commences 4 July.
2.64 Social Recovery
Response Plan.
Community Feedback
2.65 First
two public meeting were held at the Bromley Community Centre on 28 June
(afternoon and evening sessions). Wide range of questions predominately
focusing on operational changes to the plant, cause of the odours coming from
the plant, property damage (paint discolouration/corrosion) and health and
wellbeing concerns.
2.66 First
formal meeting of the WWTP Communications Advisory Group was held 21
June. Meeting went well with strong engagement.
Community and Public Health
2.67 Doctor
Cheryl Brunton from Community and Public Health gave a presentation to the
Finance and Performance Committee.
2.68 Key
messages included:
· An internal project team has been
established at CPH to co-ordinate input with the aim of delivering coordinated
advice and support to CCC and ECan regarding the Christchurch WWTP odour in
order to achieve the best possible outcomes and help mitigate/reduce harm to
the community.
· Linked CCC to CDHB
Planning and Funding about possibility of free GP visits.
· Most
local practices (except one) report no increase in consultations in relation to
the health effects of the odour. Reporting of symptoms related to the
odour is mostly from people attending practice for other reasons.
· Commonly
reported symptoms are nausea, headaches, eye and throat irritation, skin
irritation, worsening asthma and sleep disturbance.
· People’s
mental wellbeing is being affected negatively - reporting distress, frustration
and sense of powerlessness. Some practices providing support for mental
health/wellbeing for patients affected by the odour.
· A
health register will not directly address people’s health needs.
· The
physical and mental health effects being experienced by residents are
consistent with what might be expected given the measured concentrations of
hydrogen sulphide at the sites monitored so far.
· These
health effects would be expected to resolve when production of the odour is
reduced back to pre-fire levels as result of the measures being taken by CCC.
· At
these concentrations, it is unlikely that there will be long term health
effects from exposure.
Reporting
2.69 Staff
are providing updates fortnightly to Council and Finance & Performance
Committee meetings covering the operational status of the plant, actions taken
since the last update, actions underway and next steps.
2.70 Monthly
reporting to the Insurance Subcommittee covering contractor performance and
detailed reporting on insurance matters.
2.71 Staff
will also be reporting to Health & Safety and Audit & Risk Committee
meetings on matters relating to health and safety and risk.
2.72 Staff
will also report to Community Board meetings.
3. Current Activities and Next Steps
3.1 A Power Point presentation from staff will be provided at the
meeting on the activities that have been undertaken since the Finance and
Performance Committee meeting on the 30th of June and the next
steps.
Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga
There are no
attachments for this report.
Signatories / Ngā Kaiwaitohu
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Author
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Michael
Croucher - Senior Programme Manager
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Approved By
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Jane Davis -
General Manager Infrastructure, Planning & Regulatory Services
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Council
28 July 2022
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23. Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant -
update on community wellbeing response workstream
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Reference / Te Tohutoro:
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22/945962
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Report of / Te Pou Matua:
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Gary
Watson, Manager Community Partnerships and Planning, Gary.Watson@ccc.govt.nz
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General Manager / Pouwhakarae:
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Mary
Richardson, General Manager Citizens and Community,
Mary.Richarson@ccc.govt.nz
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1. Purpose of the Report Te Pūtake
Pūrongo
1.1 The
purpose of this report is to update the Council on the cross-agency community
wellbeing response work stream, recommend a pathway for information and
targeted support to continue, and recommend additional funding to enable this.
This report is scheduled to be considered at a reconvened meeting of the
Council on 3 August 2022.
2. Officer Recommendations Ngā
Tūtohu
That the Council:
1. Notes the inter-agency community wellbeing
response actions being delivered to support people adversely affected by the
aftermath of the Wastewater Treatment Plant fire.
2. Endorses a targeted approach to the continuing
information and community wellbeing support to people adversely affected.
3. Approves the allocation of $160,000.00 to
enable targeted local support to continue.
3. Update on the community wellbeing response workstream
3.1 The
Council is collaborating with organisations including Pegasus Health, Te Whatu
Ora – Health NZ (Community and Public Health), Ministry of Education and
Ministry of Social Development, and community partners He Waka Tapu, The Loft,
Bromley Community Centre and Ngā Hau e Wha Marae.
3.2 The agencies collaborating in the wellbeing response remain in close
contact with each other and with local networks and communities, through
regular working group meetings and ongoing liaison.
3.3 The Communications Advisory Group, comprising community
members, Elected Members and staff, has been meeting each week, to provide
advice and input on information channels and needs.
Update on
actions
3.4 Information:
· The comprehensive programme of information and updates continues to
be communicated via online and hard-copy channels. This includes updates
on the Council website, a weekly email newsletter going to about 350 people and
organisations, Newsline stories and social media posts and daily blog updates,
four flyer updates and information booklets dropped in letter-boxes to more
than 3,300 residents. Physical copies of our weekly newsletters and 1.8m-high
information plinths are also available at community providers’ locations.
3.5 Financial
support for households:
· The
Council approved up to $1 million on 26 May 2022 towards supporting community
wellbeing actions.
· $700,000.00
was allocated for support for households through individual payments.
$517,800.00 has been distributed as of 20 July 2022 (made up of 2,371 in-zone
payments and 218 out-of-zone payments). $35,400.00 has been paid
direct, towards household electricity bills. The individual payments continue
to be available to residents, however, distributing agencies report that
requests for them has fallen in recent weeks.
3.6 Schools
and early learning centres’ support:
· Support
to the value of $200,000.00 has been made available to schools and early
childhood centres. Recipients are using the funding support towards activities
that benefit children and families in dealing with the impacts of the odour on
their learning and school/ELC environment.
· It
is proposed that some further schools receive this funding support. This is in
response to needs reported by schools, Ministry of Education, local
Councillors, the Communications Advisory Group and others.
3.7 Liaison
with local community organisations and networks:
· The
key community-based organisations providing support to communities and
individuals have received $60,000.00 towards their additional administration
costs.
· Community
development teams in the Waikura Linwood-Central –Heathcote and Waitai
Coastal-Burwood boards have liaised with over 120 local groups such as churches,
schools, community organisations. They asked them about the impact of the Waste
Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) fire on their activities and staff, any changes in
levels of community contact, whether they are accessing the information
available and their suggestions on other supports required. They heard that
information on the plant’s progress continues to be of high
interest. A number of groups reported they were continuing to hear
complaints about the odour but only a few groups reported that their activities
and programmes were negatively affected by the odour.
4. Next steps in the wellbeing response
4.1 The community wellbeing response needs to be agile and adapt to
changing community needs over the duration of the situation with the WWTP.
4.2 Based on what we are being told by the community Communication
Advisory Group, organisations we are collaborating with in our response,
community-based groups, and Elected Members, it is recommended that the
wellbeing response adapts to a second phase of action and focus.
4.3 A targeted approach is recommended. There is a range of reactions
and wellbeing and environmental concerns experienced by some people living
nearby and downwind of the WWTP, or those living elsewhere and affected by the
odour. A targeted approach will enable providers and connectors in the
community to focus their effort and outreach on supporting those most affected
by the odour and encountering new health or wellbeing issues, or exacerbating
pre-existing conditions.
4.4 To remain responsive to need, further iteration may be required in
the future.
5. Recommended actions to target support
5.1 The following initiatives are recommended for the next phase
of the response:
5.1.1 Support schools
and early learning centres’ activities: Increase the number of
schools and early learning centres receiving funding support towards
activities, events or other activities helping children and their families
manage the effects of the odour. Extended support will include schools in the
Southshore and South Brighton area and others identified by the Ministry of
Education and others.
5.1.2 Encourage science
enquiry learning: Provide funding to support the development of an
education programme for schools stimulate understanding about the WWTP and the
impacts of the fire. This project will be delivered in partnership with the
Ministry of Education, participating schools, and Council subject matter
expertise
5.1.3 Target support to
help removing the barriers primary health services: Reduce barriers to primary
health and mental wellbeing services by providing discretionary funding that
can be used to subsidise health visits or transport costs to attend
appointments, or other appropriate support.
5.1.4 Continue
to provide comprehensive information: Continue to provide comprehensive and
regular information about the WWTP project’s progress through a range of
channels, how and where to access information and support services, answer
health and environmental questions.
Additional action over coming weeks
includes a pamphlet letterbox drop and a webinar by health professionals to
discuss health and wellbeing questions and concerns.
The letterbox drop will be to households
in the already-identified zone of affected households (approximately 3,380
homes) and an extended area including Southshore and South Brighton
(approximately 2,000 homes). It will include details of who and where to go for
support, WWTP project update, and environmental and health information and tips
for managing the situation. The pamphlet will also be readily via community
libraries, community agencies and people working with or visiting vulnerable
people.
5.1.5 Support
local community activities: This will support small local groups to
organise or support events or activities that foster community wellbeing.
This funding could be augmented from Community Board Discretionary Response
Funds.
Attachments / Ngā Tāpirihanga
There are no
attachments to this report.
In addition to the attached documents, the following background information
is available:
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Document
Name
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Location
/ File Link
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n.a.
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n.a.
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Confirmation of Statutory
Compliance / Te
Whakatūturutanga ā-Ture
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Compliance with Statutory Decision-making
Requirements (ss 76 - 81 Local Government Act 2002).
(a) This report contains:
(i) sufficient information about all reasonably practicable
options identified and assessed in terms of their advantages and
disadvantages; and
(ii) adequate consideration of the views and preferences of
affected and interested persons bearing in mind any proposed or previous
community engagement.
(b) The information reflects the level of significance of the
matters covered by the report, as determined in accordance with the Council's
significance and engagement policy.
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Signatories / Ngā Kaiwaitohu
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Authors
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Adair Bruorton
- Principal Advisor Citizens and Community
Mary
Richardson - General Manager Citizens & Community
Gary Watson -
Manager Community Partnerships & Planning
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Approved By
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Mary
Richardson - General Manager Citizens & Community
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