Local engineering expertise helps protect natural environment

Buller District Council has collaborated with local engineers to improve wastewater management and environmental sustainability across the wastewater network.

Local company Reefton Engineering has lent its expertise and helped to develop an innovative in-house design for special screens to prevent unscreened wastewater overflows from entering the natural environment.

The collaborative design process involved BDC’s three waters engineer and Reefton Engineering staff, who refined the screen design and developed a prototype version, which was installed as a trial setup by WestReef Services Limited in May 2024.

Designing and manufacturing the screens locally has resulted in a reduction in costs compared to outsourcing the design and manufacturing to companies outside the district.

Following the prototype’s successful operation, six additional screens have recently been made and will be installed in August - September 2024.

BDC is in the process of applying for a resource consent for its smaller pump stations within the Orowaiti wastewater scheme.

Traditionally, overflows from these pump stations entered the natural environment unscreened. The new screens will improve the quality of discharge in case of a pump station overflow event, retaining solids which are greater than 5 mm in size within the wastewater network.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Michael Aitken says: “BDC is committed to proactively upgrading its wastewater system and associated management processes to reduce the frequency and volume of overflows to protect the environment, as well as supporting local businesses.”

BDC wishes to acknowledge the quality of the screens provided by Reefton Engineering and appreciates the company’s expertise in the design process. Council is proud to foster such community partnerships wherever possible.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz