On site wastewater mamagement for a unique project - Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Fraser Thomas were commissioned by GP Farms Ltd to prepare a water and wastewater management plan for a new and unique motorsport complex covering some 90 ha at Hampton Downs, North Waikato. The site is located between State Highway 1 and the Waikato River, four kilometers south of Meremere. The wastewater management system is designed to cater for regular site usage and event flows catering for up to 5,000 spectators and participants. Portable ablution facilities are to be provided for events from 5,000 to 20,000 people. Treatment comprises at source septic tankage followed by a secondary treatment plant with treated effluent disposed of by sub surface drip irrigation into 4 ha of land. The effluent disposal area is to be managed as a cut and carry grass crop. Wastewater is intercepted at source in Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) tanks with additional tankage for flow balancing of event flows proposed in order to optimise conveyance infrastructure, the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant and the area required for effluent disposal. This paper describes the wastewater management systems adopted for the complex and the issues experienced from concept through consent, construction and implementation in a unique motorsport raceway environment.