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Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant Stage 3 upgrades

Upgrades improve wastewater capacity in the district and provide for future growth in the area through to the year 2048.
Three Waters

Project Status

Planned
In Progress
Completed

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What's the latest?

December 2025:

Stage 3 upgrades to Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant have been issued with their practical completion certificate, making the completion of all major work on site and that the facility is fully operational.

About the project

The Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant currently services Whakatipu Basin communities of Queenstown, Arthurs Point, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Quail Rise, Shotover Country, Lake Hayes Estate, Lake Hayes, and Arrowtown.

A third stage of upgrades to the plant  to improve wastewater capacity in the district and provide for future growth through to the year 2048 are now complete. Construction included a second Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) reactor down by Shotover Delta, and a range of new equipment, technology and supporting infrastructure to help keep our district's pipes flowing.

The new treatment process for wastewater is now handled by the two MLE reactors. This will ensure long-term compliance as more people choose to make the Whakatipu Basin their home and help to protect the environment, meeting tighter effluent consent limits if required by Otago Regional Council (ORC) in the future.

An existing oxidation pond has been repurposed as part of the works. Part of the pond will be used for improved stormwater management on site, with another area converted to act as a calamity pond in the event the treatment plant goes offline.

These upgrades allow the plant to receive additional wastewater flows from Jacks Point Village, Hanley Farm, Ladies Mile and an extension of the Quail Rise residential development area.

Ongoing work at the site

Separate work associated with the Long Term Disposal Solution for Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected over the next year, with the remaining two oxidation ponds at the facility to be drained and have their sludge removed.

One of the ponds will be turned into an additional calamity basin for treated wastewater if it is not meeting discharge requirements, or if any issues are encountered at the end of the treatment process (for example, at the UV disinfection stage).

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please give us a call on 03 441 0499 or email: services@qldc.govt.nz

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