Latest News Wastewater Hearings to Reconvene on 30 March 2009 The hearing of the Masterton Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade was adjourned last Thursday and will reconvene on 30 March for the Council’s formal reply to issues raised during the hearing.   The Council’s chief executive Wes ten Hove said that the Council will be submitting further evidence to respond to a range of matters raise by submitters.  Mr ten Hove said he had a discussion with the Medical Officer of Health Dr Stephen Palmer to clarify the “somewhat alarming and incorrect” impression that the Ruamahanga River at the Cliffs would still remain unsafe for swimming after the upgrade.    Mr ten Hove said: - “It is my clear understanding from subsequent discussions with Dr Palmer, that the Council will be able to present evidence to the Commissioners later this month, which will correct any such impression”.    “In short, in summer, when most people are swimming in the river or having other contact recreation, there will be no discharge to the river” Mr ten Hove said.  “While this matter is still before the Commission, I considered that the public needed reassurance as to the Council’s intent.  In my discussion with Dr Palmer it was clear and pleasing for both parties to note there is in fact a high degree of concurrence on most issues”     The intervening period before the 30 March resumption was welcomed by Dr Palmer and the Council as providing the opportunity to get these matters correct, Mr ten Hove said.  “It appeared the position was in fact very simple, but was getting lost in technical jargon.   Under the proposed scheme the discharge will not be occurring at low to average flows between 1 November and 30 April.   “These are the flows when most swimming and other contact recreation occurs. Currently at these flows there is a low to moderate health risk as a result of the discharge. In the future, there will be a very low health risk because the discharge will not be occurring.   “The message the Council wants to get across, and that the Medical Officer of Health agrees with, is that at the Cliffs, the recreation grading (SRG) will improve from “Very Poor” to “Fair” after the upgrade (ie two steps).   Dr Palmer has explained to me that this grading means the site will be safe for swimming, no signage will be required and normal water quality monitoring will continue.”  Mr ten Hove said he discussed the general river conditions with Dr Palmer.  It was clearly understood that grading at the Cliffs would not improve beyond “Fair” even if there was never a  Masterton discharge.  This was because of all the other possible pollution sources, particularly rural run-off and stormwater risks.  Mr ten Hove said he was sure that the local and health authorities in Wairarapa would be keen to follow up Dr Palmer’s observations on a more co-operative approach to the management of the water quality and any associated health risks, upstream and down stream of Masterton, and in fact all the way to Lake Onoke. 16 March 2009