Initial Response in an Emergency

Dr Becky Macdonald, Jack Deeley, Hayden Porter, Duncan Farish – Jacobs NZ Ltd

Adam Twose, Patrick Cantillon –  Christchurch City Council

On 1st November 2021, a fire at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) caused significant damage to both trickling filters, and the associated infrastructure. The trickling filters are an integral part of the treatment process, converting about 80% of the soluble BOD into “secondary solids” which are removed in the secondary clarifiers. Loss of the trickling filters has a significant detrimental impact to the CWTP performance. This paper describes the immediate actions undertaken to keep CWTP operational, as well as initial measures put in place to maximise the available treatment and restore secondary treatment. Central to the success of the fire response has been a highly collaborative approach between Christchurch City Council (CCC), Jacobs, suppliers, and contractors.

Currently CWTP is providing adequate treatment, discharging treatment wastewater largely within the required consent limits. The success to date is the result of a highly collaborative approach, with design and construction occurring hand in hand. It has relied on open and frequent communication between CCC stakeholders, Jacob’s designers, equipment suppliers and contractors. Co-locating key members of the design team at CWTP has ensured information is shared quickly and supported robust decision making.