Over the course of 2020, a $7 million wastewater pipeline and pump station was built in Ashburton to future-proof the infrastructure for future generations, and this week, the organisations involved in delivering the project gathered to discuss a job well done.

To those unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the project, the infrastructure upgrade might have seemed just a routine exercise for the councils and contractors involved, but scratch beneath the surface and the true complexities and rarity of the project are laid bare.

Ashburton District Council (ADC), through its contractor, Seipp Construction, installed a wastewater pipe big enough to cope with a growing population under the Ashburton/Hakatere River and connected it to a brand new pump station in Tinwald. From there, contents are then pumped onto the town's water treatment facility.

From the logistics of getting up to five meters under the surface of the river and diverting water, to safeguarding the river's welfare, fish salvage and relocation plans and conducting ecological assessments to reduce any disruption on bird breeding sites, there were many considerations to get right.

Speaking to the teams involved, Environment Canterbury (ECan) Resource Management Officer, Amy McIlraith expressed her personal appreciation for the proactive and regular communication between the parties throughout the project.

"To say that I was nervous about this project is an understatement, but both the contractor and the local council were committed to a great environmental outcome and this was a key feature of the project's success.

"Gareth, Keiran and the entire crew at Seipp welcomed me on-site and maintained open and honest communication. When I asked for something to be moved, fixed or changed, I was met with, 'absolutely'.

"Ashburton District Council, from the tendering right through to removing the pumps from the riverbed, you have done your community proud. I look forward to working with you on all future projects and continuing to build a culture of collaboration between our two councils."

As a show of her appreciation as a Resource Management Officer, Amy presented the contractor and council with a certificate for their exemplary attitude towards compliance and collaboration.

Pictured above: ECan Resource Management Officer, Amy McIlraith presents SEIPP Constructions, Managing Director Peter Seipp with a certificate of appreciation.

Pictured above: ECan Resource Management Officer, Amy McIlraith presents Ashburton District Council Chief Executive, Hamish Riach with a certificate of appreciation.

Ashburton District Council Chief Executive, Hamish Riach said, "We are incredibly pleased with how this important project was managed and delivered, and thank Amy and those involved in the ECan team for working so closely with us to reach a really positive outcome."

From the onset of the work, ECan Ashburton Zone Team Lead, Janine Holland said Environment Canterbury staff were very aware of the community's connection with the river.

"Runanga, farming, recreational, angling and environmental groups continue to tell us how much they value Hakatere. In fact, its values have gained it a spot as one of ten rivers the regional council will invest in over the next decade under our Braided Rivers programme."

ADC is now beginning the next leg of future-proofing Ashburton's wastewater services, with work now underway on delivering the Ashburton Relief Sewer project.

A larger wastewater pipe is being installed from Bridge Street in Netherby down to Milton Road South where it will be connected to the new river crossing pipeline and onto the pump station.

The project is expected to wrap up in March 2022.