Help likely to answer call of nature

Palmerston North ratepayers contemplating the best way to manage the city’s wastewater in future are likely to be given more information and more time to declare their preferences.

But mayor Grant Smith told a public meeting attended by about 100 people on Wednesday night there was little time to lose in making the decision of a generation.

The council has until June 2022, to apply for a new resource consent explaining how it will treat and discharge the city’s wastewater in future.

The costs of discharging to the Manawatu¯ River, to land, to groundwater or the ocean, could add between $300 and $900 to each ratepayer’s annual bill.

At the moment, Palmerston North ratepayers pay $253 for wastewater disposal, compared to neighbouring Manawatu¯ District Council, where the rate is $760 a year. ‘‘This is not an optional project,’’ said Smith.

The council has put six options out for public feedback, all including an upgrade of the current Totara Rd treatment plant.

Treated wastewater could be discharged to the Manawatu¯ River, some of it could be piped to a point downstream of piki, it could be discharged to land or to the ocean, or to groundwater.

Estimated costs range from $264 million to $765m, for a system the council hopes would last for 35 years.

Meeting attendee Kristin Huff said while she might be willing to pay her share, the council had to be aware of the effect of Covid-19 on people.

‘‘We have vulnerable communities, and it really needs to be considered, how do we pay?’’

Smith said the council was working on finding ways to share the financial burden with Government, industry or private partners.

Council chief infrastructure officer Tom Williams said more information would be provided about how the team had narrowed down an original list of 36 options to the six presented.

He said about 150 submissions had been received by the end of Friday, with no favourite emerging yet.

‘‘Submitters are providing a lot of detail about what matters most to them, with cost and environmental impacts being commented on frequently.’’

The council had not yet made a call on whether to extend the consultation deadline beyond June 30.