Piopio Community Upgrade

Located in rural New Zealand, the farming community of Piopio was in need of a wastewater treatment plant. In this area where run-off from dairy farms into streams and rivers can be
a cause for concern, failing septic tanks at individual homes and shops were also having an increasingly negative effect on the local environment.

Situated within the geographical boundaries of the Waitomo District, Piopio was identified by the District Council as meeting the requirements for wastewater funding through the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, the District began the process of searching for the most effective solution, ultimately selecting an Orenco® Effluent Sewer and AdvanTex® Treatment System.

After a thorough bidding process in which various treatment options — such as grinder pumps and conventional gravity sewer with pump stations — were also considered, the Council eventually chose an Orenco® Effluent Sewer and AdvanTex® Treatment System, due to their reputation for low operating and capital costs, as well as robust quality of treatment.

Costs included design and installation of effluent sewer, treatment plant, and rock outfall; supply and installation of 198 septic tanks for households and businesses, plus disposal of old
tanks.

Piopio and the surrounding countryside are rather hilly, which is why the township’s Orenco Effluent Sewer is comprised of approximately 65% STEP (Septic Tank Effluent Pump) units and just 35% STEG (Septic Tank Effluent Gravity) units. Nevertheless, the small-diameter collection lines that feed into the AdvanTex Treatment System are well-suited for a variety of terrain, as they are buried just 76-91 cm deep (30"-36") deep and designed to follow the
contour of the land.

System Performance

Permit Limits
• 20 mg/L BOD5
• 30 mg/L TSS
• 30 mg/L TKN
• 10 mg/L NH3-N
• 15 mg/L TP
• 500 MPN/100 mL FC

Effluent Quality
• 6 mg/L BOD5
• 7 mg/L TSS
• 5 mg/L TKN
• 4 mg/L NH3-N
• 6-7 mg/L TP
• 5 cfu/100 mL FC

“Because the effluent would be discharged into a nearby river, we had to have guaranteed results, and that’s what AdvanTex provides.” - Kevin Higham, Innoflow.