There’s been another failure at the Raglan Wastewater treatment plant according to a press release from Waikato District Council . While the press release is hidden from the “all news” section on the council website John Lawson alerted us to its presence after attending a Waters Governance Board meeting last night.
The incident occurred on the morning of 9th December between 7:48am to 9:08am and while the wastewater was released correctly on the outgoing tide it had not gone through the normal UV process which is the last stage of the treatment cycle.
The failure was caused by the unauthorised action of a treatment plant operator who overrode the automated shutdown – leading to 260m3 of partially treated wastewater being discharged.
Information from the waters governance board meeting would suggest the story is more complicated with a local staff member left to solve a plant failure problem by themselves on the weekend – as they were unable to contact a manager.
There is minimal risk to human health but an investigation is under way and Waikato Regional Council have been notified of the breach.
In other council news a recent press release from the Mayor is giving ratepayers an early heads-up that tough decisions will need to be made for next year’s long term plan and rate increase.
Staff have been told to find savings after early work on the long term plan has shown substantial spending will be required to maintain existing services at their traditional standard.
With the failure of the previous government’s 3-waters program, no clear proposals by the new government, a comment by councillor Lisa Thomson that the rating system is basically broken and request by the Raglan Community Board to keep the general rate increase below 10% there are still clarity about how 3-waters services will be maintained in the future. https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rag%20Wastewater%20outlet.jpg