Making the Wastewater Treatment Plant less stinky
Can you smell the wastewater treatment plant on Kioreroa Road? 🐷
We've got a plan to make it less smelly: covers and odour treatment systems (bio filters) will be installed around the four stinkiest parts of the plant between now and September 2025. What are those 4 parts? Buckle up.
💩 1: the inlet works (where the untreated sewage comes in for treating), screenings bin (where the lumps go, including old barbie dolls and false teeth)
😷 2: the sludge thickener tanks (that reduce the water in the sludge prior to disposal)
🟫 3: the sludge holding tanks (exactly what they sound like)
🐌🐌 4. the snail bin. The water treatment plant has four large trickling filters - large round bins filled with granite rock. The wastewater trickles over the rocks and the algae growing on them. The algae take massive amounts of nutrients out of the wastewater and clean it up. It’s a very robust and natural process, accelerated by engineering and technology.
The algae attract small snails (3mm), which just love the environment in the trickling filter – it is wet and full of food. The snails grow there by the billions. Every now and then, a few snails are swept out with the wastewater and are filtered out before the water goes to further cleaning.
Those “few snails” however, add up to 2-3 cubic metres per week. We put them in our snail bin and empty it weekly. However, this is long enough for it to over-power all the other smells in the wastewater treatment plant.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16% Hmm, maybe?
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10.8% Yes!
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
SUNDAY XMAS MARKETS AT REYBURN HOUSE
Xmas Markets @ Reyburn House, Town Basin, Whangārei
Get into the festive spirit and join us for two special Christmas Markets at the stunning Reyburn House grounds! Discover unique gifts, handmade crafts, art, delicious treats with over 30 stalls, and plenty of Christmas cheer — perfect for those last-minute presents or a relaxed day out with the whānau.
What: Market Dates & Times
Date: Sunday 14 December 2025 — 9:00am – 2:00pm
Date: Sunday 21 December 2025 — 10:00am – 3:00pm
What to Expect:
- Quality creative handmade arts & crafts
- Delicious Christmas goodies
- Festive atmosphere by the waterfront
- Support local makers & creators
Bring the family, enjoy the sunshine, browse the stalls, and soak up the Christmas vibes right here at the Town Basin. Don't miss your chance to shop local and celebrate the season!
See you at the markets! Support Local
#thewhangareicraftsmarket #reyburnhouse #whangareievents #whangareiloveithere
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