Methven’s new membrane plant almost ready
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Methven locals will be able to sleep soundly next time it starts raining without worrying about boil water notices.
The $9.4 million Methven water supply upgrade is in the final phase of testing and could be online next week, Ashburton District Council’s infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann says.
“So no more boil water notices.”
The end to the troublesome boil water with the new membrane treatment plant coming online will be a big relief to the community, including Methven resident and deputy mayor Liz McMillan.
“We’ll be able to sleep now when it starts raining,” McMillan said.
Methven Community Board chairperson, Kelvin Holmes, said it’s a good result.
“It’s a lot of expense and let’s hope it does what it’s supposed to do.”
What it is supposed to do is solve the turbidity [cloudiness issues that have plagued the town’s water supply during heavy rainfall.
The new membrane treatment plant will use ultrafiltration technology, providing a barrier that removes 99.9% of micro-sized contaminant, McCann said.
The water will then be disinfected with UV light and chlorine, and fluoride added, before being stored in the new reservoirs and distributed via the town’s drinking water supply pipe network.
“We hope to be able to use the two reservoirs this week and we hope to be producing from the new treatment plant in the next week or so.
Commissioning of the new plant is expected to be completed this week with full operational testing and fine-tuning of the plant will starting on Monday, and it could then start servicing Methven by Wednesday, McCann said.
An official opening is planned for October 6 followed by a public open day on October 7, McCann said.
The old concrete reservoir tank structural integrity is being investigated but it doesn’t look like it will be worth retaining, McCann said.
“It’s not looking like we’ll be able to use that.
“The amount of money to fix it up is just not economically viable.”
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.6% Yes
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49.4% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
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