Background
We own and operate four wastewater treatment plants that take wastewater from your home and clean/treat it before putting it back in the environment.

Wastewater, also known as sewage, is any water that goes down your sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, etc. Although most of it is water, a portion includes organic matter such as human waste, food scraps, cooking fats, oil and grease, and debris such as sand, grit and plastic. Once it goes down the drain, the wastewater is sent through pipes to a treatment plant, where it is treated before being put back into the environment. 

The treatment and disposal of wastewater is governed by various resource consents under the Resource Management Act. These aim to minimise any harmful effects to the environment it’s put back into.

Our resource consents to discharge treated wastewater are currently under renewal, and to save time and money we are looking at grouping them together as one resource consent for all sites. As a part of this process we plan to upgrade all of our wastewater treatment plants over the coming years, to comply with new consent conditions. 

The Matamata Wastewater Treatment Plant is the first, and largest upgrade required, and that is to cater for both the growth we are seeing at Matamata and also to meet higher discharge quality requirements. This is a large work programme that we must comply with, as we can’t operate wastewater treatment plants without a consent. Below is more information about the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade in Matamata.

Matamata wastewater treatment plant upgrade

Current state 
The Matamata wastewater treatment plant is running at full capacity and can no longer efficiently process wastewater. In colder months, low water temperatures slow down the bacteria that break down pollutants, making it harder for the plant to meet environmental standards. 

Why the wastewater treatment plant needs an upgrade
The Matamata Wastewater Treatment Plant has reached its limits and can no longer keep up with growing demand while meeting environmental regulations. In March 2024, the council applied for a new discharge consent, which directly impacts the upgrade plan. The project team has carefully reviewed New Zealand’s latest wastewater standards to ensure the improvements are aligned with these new regulations. Work on the upgrade began in 2022 after an agreement with Calcutta Development, which requires the plant to handle more wastewater from August 2025. This upgrade is not just about fixing current issues but also preparing for the future growth of Matamata. 

Phase one: Preparing the site for construction (completed)

The first stage of the upgrade focused on getting the site ready for construction. To make space for the new facilities, part of an existing pond was reclaimed, creating a stable building platform within the original footprint of the treatment plant. A stormwater contingency pond and a biosolids holding area were also set up to support the project.

Phase two: Construction of the new wastewater treatment plant (commencing June 2025)
With the initial site preparations almost finished, the next stage of the upgrade will focus on building the new wastewater treatment facilities. All key components, such as membranes and inlet works, have been secured. The enabling works contract wrapped up at the end of May 2025, allowing the main construction to start soon after. Spartan Construction, the chosen contractor for this phase, is set to begin work on-site in the coming weeks. Full construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with the project expected to be completed by December 2027.

Resource Management Act 1991

Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-34

You can read more about our district-wide wastewater treatment plant upgrades here.