Project Pure contractors and the Queenstown Lakes District Council are again having to deal with the problem of odour emanating from the $21.5 million Wanaka sewage and wastewater plant after more complaints were received.
The matter is on the Wanaka Community Board agenda and is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting this morning.
QLDC Project Pure manager Martin O'Malley said five complaints about odour emanating from the treatment facility had been lodged by a neighbour during June.
There had been a total of 24 complaints about odour from the facility, located near Wanaka Airport, since the sewage and wastewater treatment plant became operational in January 2009, Mr O'Malley said.
He declined to name the complainants.
The Otago Regional Council, responsible for monitoring resource consent conditions at the treatment facility, sent inspectors to the site last week to monitor odour levels, Mr O'Malley said.
More visits by ORC inspectors were scheduled this week and the council was awaiting a report about odour levels at the plant, he said.
"We're comfortable that issues previously raised about odour have been addressed.
"The recent complaints have highlighted a different concern about another part of the plant,"We need more information and are working to get it fixed."
The latest problem was believed to be caused by bacteria failing to break down odour because of frigid winter temperatures, Mr O'Malley said.
The problem could not be solved immediately, Mr O'Malley said.
"It is a biological process and, as such, we can't flick a switch and expect something to happen straight away," Mr O'Malley said.
Project Pure contractor United Water Group was responsible for mitigating odours at the treatment plant, although the QLDC - as the holder of a resource consent issued by the ORC - was responsible for responding to any complaints laid by affected parties, Mr O'Malley said.
"We've had a history of some issues regarding odour at the plant and are trying to work through those issues with the contractor," he said.
United was contracted as the "operational contractor" of Project Pure until October 14, 2011, Mr O'Malley said.
