Nelson Regional Sewerage Scheme

The Nelson Regional Sewerage Scheme (NRSS), commissioned in 1983, is a joint venture between Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council. The scheme serves the residential areas of Stoke, Tāhunanui, Richmond, Mapua and the Waimea Basin. It also serves the Alliance Freezing works and Nelson Pine Industries.

Electronic systems management

Electronic equipment is used throughout the system for constant monitoring and recording, as well as to alert the operator to any malfunctions. Energy efficient, variable speed drives (VSDs) help reduce pump power usage by minimising hydraulic friction when the system is working at less than full capacity. The larger pump stations – Richmond, Saxton Road and Stoke – boast two alternating VSD pumps as well as a third, larger pump on standby for peak flows.

Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant

Occupying 53ha of Bell Island on the Waimea Inlet, the Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the communities of Nelson South, Richmond and Mapua.

The treatment plant has the capacity to treat sewage, equivalent to that generated by a domestic population of around 133,000 people.

Performance

The General Manager reports quarterly to the Joint Committee on the achievements to date against the business plan work schedule, and produces an Annual Report on the NRSBU’s financial and non-financial achievements for the year, including levels of service in key areas:

Treatment and Disposal
Capacity
Reliability
Responsiveness
Key customer relationships