Cannon to tackle poo ponds pong

Queenstown Lakes District Council continues work to stop the stink from Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Nearby residents and businesses, and anyone driving over Shotover Bridge - a main route into Queenstown - continue to smell the foul odour, which has been wafting from the poo ponds for weeks now.

The council plans to operate an odour mitigation cannon, using a water-based fog to encapsulate smell before it moves off-site.

Council Property & Infrastructure boss Tony Avery says urgent repairs have been made to the sludge processing and dewatering system at the facility, which means the original problem which caused the smell has largely been resolved.

However, a secondary problem with the facility’s aeration grids had since occurred.

"This new issue has impacted our ability to return the biological treatment process to normal, and we’re aware odour continues to be a noticeable problem in the area," Avery says.

"We’re working to secure the necessary replacement parts required and plan to undertake further maintenance at the facility this week."

There is no health hazard as a result of the issues, however, the treated wastewater being discharged into the Shotover River is a lower "quality" than normal, the council states.

Avery acknowledged the facility’s operational snags had led to an unpleasant time for local residents and businesses, and he apologised for the unforeseen issues.

“While it’s difficult to say how long it will take for the biological process to stabilise and for all odour to dissipate, significant progress continues to be made and we should start to see the smell in the area improving."

Further updates will be provided once the required replacement parts are installed.

QLDC continues to provide Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Pollution team with daily reports on odour coming from Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Check out some FAQ's the council has answered on the problem at the plant.