Makaraka wastewater

Currently Makaraka is not connected to the city's wastewater system.  Each property manages their wastewater with a septic tank or on-site wastewater system.

Some Makaraka residents presented Council with a petition wanting to connect to the city's wastewater system. 

What happened with the recent consultation?

Feedback was received from 85 of the 174 properties at Makaraka with 56 properties not supporting reticulation.

A report going to Council on 1 March recommends that a proposal to reticulate Makaraka is not included in the Ten Year Plan.

Consultation information

Who will pay to connect?

Makaraka property owners would.  It would be funded by a targeted rate, paid for by Makaraka ratepayers over 10 or 20 years.

You would pay for the system - see options and estimates, plus you would pay an ongoing cost to operate it.  The operating costs for city ratepayers was approximately $620 last year.

Why should I connect?

• 70 Makaraka residents want to.
• A reticulated wastewater system is better for the environment and people. It reduces the risk to your health from bacterial contaminations in ground and surface water.
• It increases the opportunity for development in the area.
• You wouldn’t have to operate, maintain or replace your own wastewater system.

Options and estimates for systems 

Council has looked into 4 options.  All costs are estimates. Council’s preferred option is Option 1.

Option 1: complete low pressure grinder pump system

This is Council’s preferred option.  Each property would be supplied with a small pump station with a grinder pump in it. Each small station would pump into Council’s network of pipes which feed into the city’s system. Council would own and maintain the small pump stations.
Estimated cost per property: $28,000

Option 2: maintain the status quo

You would continue to manage your wastewater as it is now in your own on-site wastewater system like a septic tank. Changes to Council’s Discharges Plan may mean you will need to monitor and maintain your system more regularly. You pay maintenance and the total cost if the system needs replacing. Any new development would depend on suitable land and soil being available.
Septic tank replacement cost: $9,000 - $30,000 depending on each situation

Option 3: off-site low pressure grinder pump system

Pipes would be installed in the road reserve and connected to the city's network. The pipework would stop at the road boundary. You would need to install a small pump station with a grinder pump and connect it to the network. This option would have ongoing technical issues and increased operational costs because the system initially would only be partially used. You would not benefit from ‘bulk purchasing’ prices that would be received in Option 1 and you would have to maintain and operate your own small pump station.
Estimated cost per property: $18,000 plus $10,000 for the pump station and internal pipework

Option 4 Conventional Gravity System

Wastewater would be reticulated to the road boundary only via a conventional gravity system similar to that used in the city's network. Larger pipes, deeper holes and the number of pump stations needed make this a more expensive option.
Estimated cost per property: $41,000