Breaking: Shotover main sewage plant suffers failure

Crux has observed a breakdown in the main Shotover sewage plant today - February 12, 2025.

This is in spite of mayor Glyn Lewers claiming the main sewage plant is working and that the failed disposal field "has no purpose."

Sludge and solid waste has formed at the surface on the main circular tank where only relatively clear liquid waste is supposed to be present.

The partially treated sludge is being piped direct to the UV building and the already blocked disposal field.

The UV building is designed to sterilise liquid waste only and can't process, treat or filter any solid waste.

The failure today is likely to produce further toxic overflow from the blocked disposal field into the Kawarau and Shotover rivers.

Crux has approached both the QLDC and ORC for urgent comment by 2.00 pm.

The ORC has applied for an Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to force the QLDC to make a large number of urgent fixes, changes and improvements to the Shotover plant to stop the illegal discharge of effluent into local rivers.

The overflows have been occurring since 2021 with the ORC issuing two abatement notices and ten infringement notices.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith has called for a halt to all development until the sewage plant can be repaired and made functional. 

Main image: Solid waste this morning (February 12) on the surface of the main Shotover treatment tank.