Objectionable odours should not be a problem when treated Roxburgh wastewater is discharged on land rather than in the Clutha River, a hearing before an independent commissioner was told last week.
The Central Otago District Council has applied to itself for permission to designate dredge tailings next to the existing oxidation ponds for wastewater treatment and disposal.
Commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, has reserved his decision.
The Roxburgh Community Board had agreed to dispose of treated effluent on land as a "low-cost and highly effective" method, instead of the present process of discharging it into the Clutha, council consulting engineer Paul Jacobson told the hearing.
Discharge consents for the project had been granted by the Otago Regional Council.
The site was screened by pine trees, the effluent was treated, and he did not believe there would be any "significant" odour. Three submissions were received, all in support of the application.
The project was designed to cater for a population of 1000 people.
The current system catered for a population of 600.
