SEWERING BELFAST

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 18

SEWERING BELFAST

Consultants To Plan

Specialist consultants should be engaged to prepare proposals and estimates for sewage-treatment facilities for Belfast to the stage required by the Local Auth orities Loans Board for a loan application, the Christchurch Drainage Board agreed last evening.

If the board decided to pro ceed at an early date with the design and possibly construction of treatment facilities in the Belfast area, it would mean either augmenting the board’s staff or the engagement of consultants, Mr P. J. McWilliam, the chief engineer said. The board had been trying to fill vacancies in its stormwater design department for a considerable time. Existing projects would fully commit the existing and proposed de sign staff at least until 1969 If more than very preliminary work on the Belfast project was required before then, consultants should be engaged.

Reporting on a sea outfall as a possible alternative to disposal to the Waimakariri river, Mr McWilliam said it was extremely doubtful whether such an outfall would prove economic in relation to treatment and disposal to the river. The cost of fully investigating such a proposal would be high. Before accepting a sea outfall as an alternative, the board would want to be assured that it was an economic proposition and that no pollution would be brought back on to the beach by wind or current. These answers could be given only after prolonged investigations covering tidal currents, littoral drift, wind drift, beach and sea bed stability and diffusion of sewage in sea water. Be cause of the prevailing easterly wind, it was probable that a very long outfall would be required to meet the sec ond condition.