Three properties have been connected to the new Tokoiti sewerage scheme, and work is due to start on another scheme, in Benhar, next week.
The two townships, one near Milton and the other near Balclutha, have no public sewerage system. Most properties have septic tank systems, but an upgrade to modern standards was required, to prevent issues such as sewage discharging at the surface on to neighbouring properties or into waterways, and to meet Otago Regional Council consent conditions.
Last year, after consultation with the community, the Clutha District Council began working towards creating extensions of the Milton and Balclutha sewerage systems to each township.
Work on the Tokoiti system began in April, and three properties are now connected to the scheme and are operating.
Other properties are to be connected soon.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt said the work, including the expanded scheme area closer to Milton, was expected to be completed by late November.
Mr Witt said all pumps for Benhar had been delivered, and installation was planned to begin next week.
The Benhar extension is expected to be completed late in December.
In a report to the council's district assets committee, which will meet on Thursday, projects engineer Peter Ross said the Benhar system included a communal pump station.
Mr Ross said the proposed site for the station was the Benhar playground, owned by the council.
A track would have to be made to access the pump station, which would be at the rear of the playground. The playground equipment would be shifted, and separated from the pump station by plants and a fence, similar to what was done at the Kaka Point playground.
The district assets committee will consider the proposed site on Thursday.
Earlier this year, the council decided that the capital rate for four outer Benhar properties would be set at a lump-sum payment of $11,875. The remaining 48 properties would pay a lump sum of $12,974. The scheme would cost about $1.3 million.
About 48 properties are now included in the Tokoiti sewerage project and several Milton properties in Lisburn, Cargill and MacAndrew Sts have joined.
