Rotarua's experience in pressure sewer system implementation
Annual Conference
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Rotorua District Council has completed the first community wide application of low pressure grinder pump (LPGP) system in New Zealand. This involved the installation of LPGP pumping units to service sixty (60) existing residential development and a marae at Hinemoa Point, Rotorua. This lakeside community is characterized by undulating topography and high water table.
A paper presented to the NZWWA 2007 Conference by one of the authors summarized the result of a study undertaken that concluded that LPGP is the best sewer servicing option for Hinemoa Point and other lakeshore communities in Rotorua because of cost and environmental considerations.
This paper will outline Rotorua District Council’s experience related to the construction, commissioning and start up operation of the LPGP system installed; in particular dealing with the householders during construction phase. It will also attempt to validate the decisions made related to the ownership of the systems and procurement and implementation models. This will be of interest to infrastructure managers who are contemplating or in the process of implementing pressure sewer systems within their area of responsibility.