Monday 12 May 2008

Mayor opens new Milton Water Treatment Plant

Mayor Juno Hayes officially opened the new $4.4 million Milton Water Treatment Plant on Saturday, describing the facility as an important asset for the local community for many years to come.

Mayor Hayes invited neighbouring resident Kath McElrea to help him cut the ribbon to officially open the plant, located on North Branch Road, just north of Milton.

A steady flow of visitors also took up the opportunity to view the plant’s “membrane” technology, which uses state-of-the-art tube filters to provide a physical barrier to solids and pathogens. This is the first plant of its type in the Clutha District and will meet the new New Zealand Drinking Water Standards that were introduced in 2005.

The new plant has double the capacity of the old Milton Water Treatment Plant, but is projected to run at a similar operating cost. Provisions have also been made for even more capacity should it be required in future.

Council awarded Fulton Hogan Civil South Ltd a $3.7 million contract for construction of the new plant in December 2006. However, under an agreement with the Department of Corrections, Milton ratepayers pay 25% of the total project cost of an estimated $4.4 million.

ENDS

Mayor Juno Hayes and Kath McElrea open the new Milton Water Treatment Plant (top), while members of the public take a look at the new technology inside the plant (bottom).