Oxidation Pond Decision “As Soon As Possible”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

Oxidation Pond Decision “As Soon As Possible”

No decision will be made on the proposed oxidation pond in the loop of the Heathcote river until the Christchurch Drainage Board receives the comments of the City Council and the Marine Department. If no adverse replies were received, then the board would most likely go ahead with the proposal, said the chairman (Mr F. R. Price) at a meeting of the board last evening.

The Hillsborough Residents' Association wrote asking the board not to proceed with plans for the pond as it would be detrimental to the Hillsborough district because of smells and flies when an easterly wind was blowing. Mr T. D. Flint said he was concerned that the matter had dragged on so long. Rather extravagant remarks had been made about the scheme over the last few months, and he felt the board should take steps to get the matter settled. “People are worrying therm selves sick about the proposals,” he said. “We should make, a decision and put their minds at rest.” He then moved that steps be taken to obtain information so that a recommendation could be placed before the next meeting. Mr Price said he considered the board had acted quite

properly right from the start. “Could we find out exactly how far it is between the site of the proposed pond and the nearest house?" asked Mr D. P. McLellan. Mr H. F. Page, chief engineer (operations), replied that the Ferrymead property was the nearest, about 12 chains away. Mr Flint then asked whether the board had received notification from the City Council that it would appeal to the Town and Country Appeal Board if the board proceeded with the scheme. The chairman said the information had not been received. No reply had been received from the Marine Department either, he said. Mr Page said the board originally intended to increase the treating facilities for the Cannon Hill development. Septic tanks had been

considered, but there were technical difficulties, and the oxidation pond was an alternative suggestion which the board thought would also be further away from the public. The Health Department had more or less agreed to the proposal, and the Marine Department was approached because the effluent would discharge into the Estuary, he said

“Is it not a fiact that virtually raw sewage from septic tanks on Mount Pleasant is going into the Estuary, and is it not true to say that the new plant would overcome thus problem?" asked Mr MeLei lan.

Mr Page said the answer to both questions wos “yes " The septic tanks were grosbjv overloaded, he said Mr R. C. Neville then moved an amendment to Mr Flint’s motion that a recommendation be brought forward as soon as possible rather than at the nexit meeting. This was carried.