This month, work begins on a significant upgrade to Matamata’s wastewater treatment plant. The $67.05million upgrade is a significant step towards creating fit-for-purpose infrastructure, improving environmental outcomes and supporting future growth.

The current plant has been running at full capacity for some time, with colder months making it harder to break down pollutants effectively. This has made it difficult to meet environmental standards, highlighting the need for a more reliable and efficient system. The upgrade will help with new quality requirements and accommodate Matamata’s growing population.

“Our resource consents to discharge treated wastewater were due for renewal between 2024 and 2035, and to save time and money we are looking at grouping them together as one resource consent for all four sites,” said Mayor Adrienne. “As part of this process we plan to upgrade all of our wastewater treatment plants to comply with the new environmental regulations.”

“The Councillors and I walked around the site with the project team and really got a feel for the scale of the project and how the plant will look and operate when it’s completed,” said Mayor Adrienne. “Upgrading our wastewater treatment plants is a very large work programme that we must comply with, as we can’t operate wastewater treatment plants without a consent.” She said the upgrade is both a response to current challenges and a forward-looking investment to support Matamata’s growing population and stricter regulations.

Preparations began in 2022, including reclaiming part of an existing pond to make room for new facilities, and establishing a stormwater pond and biosolids holding area. A higher-than-expected volume of sludge was discovered, adding to the total construction cost. Now that site preparation is almost complete, Spartan Construction is set to begin building the new treatment facilities in July. All the key components, such as membranes and inlet systems, are already secured. When finished, the upgraded plant will ensure treated wastewater aligns with the new environmental standards, while supporting increased capacity through to 2027 and beyond.

In May, local iwi led a site blessing to acknowledge the start of the next stage of the project with representatives from iwi, Council and the project team. Norm Hill of Ngāti Haua said of the project, “It’s about purpose, planet and people - building infrastructure that supports growth while protecting the mauri and mana of our waterways. Achieving ‘te mana o te wai’ through partnership is key.”

‘Te mana o te wai’ is a te ao Māori concept that recognises the fundamental importance of water's health and well-being, placing it at the centre of all freshwater management decisions. It emphasises that protecting the health of freshwater is essential for the health and well-being of people and the wider environment.

Full construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025, with the project expected to be completed by December 2027. The budget includes everything needed to complete the project - planning and design, preparation work, and the main construction. You can find more about this and other wastewater upgrades around the district at mpdc.nz/matamatawastewater