Smelly oxidation ponds at Fonterra’s Studholme dairy factory have generated repeated complaints from neighbors. The co-operative’s site manager, Alan Maitland, revealed on Monday low water levels in oxidation ponds had ledge to the smell
of “waste-activated sludge” wafting around neighbours’ properties in recent weeks.
Responding to questions from panel member Gina Solomon, Maitland said the company had last received two odour complaints in 2013. He said it had altered its ponds since the first incident to reduce smell problems, including increasing the capacity of aeration equipment at the site sevenfold.
Fonterra is applying to discharge wastewater into the ocean as part of its proposed expansion of the factory, and its national environment group manager, Ian Goldschmidt, told a hearing panel at the Waimate Community Centre an expansion of the site’s capacity would bring a change in how its wastewater was treated.
The company was considering using clarifiers to treat the water, and was considering both “tank-based” and “pond-based options, Goldschmidt said.
Submissions from Fonterra counsel Ben Williams stated complaints about the existing treatment plant was “of no relevance”. Fonterra bought the factory from New Zealand Dairies Limited in 2012, and Williams said the ponds were “very different than what Fonterra is proposing as a part of the expansion”.
Goldschmidt said Fonterra had reached an agreement with local runanga to conduct an archaeological survey of any finds during the construction of the wastewater pipe, which would run from the wastewater treatment plant by Hannaton Rd, cross the Waihao arm and extend 600 metres into the sea.
Fonterra also wants the option of discharging treated stormwater into Waimate Creek in times of extremely high flows. Goldschmidt said Fonterra planned to have the stormwater treated in a wetland with “cultural features” before it entered the creek, which sometimes goes dry.
By: Jack Montgomerie
Source: Stuff.co.nz