Tauranga Microfiltration Plants

The Joyce Road Microfiltration Plant was the first water treatment plant in New Zealand to incorporate membrane treatment technology, and represented a milestone in water treatment in New Zealand.

Its capacity of 36,000m³/d made it one of the largest such facilities in the world at the time. A team from CH2M Beca designed the plant, which also included pilot trials, prequalification and tendering for membrane equipment supply, and then the design of the new treatment facility. Our involvement extended from the concept phase through to construction supervision and commissioning, and included the world’s first full scale membrane challenge test using bacillus spores.

The original programme was shortened to enable Tauranga City Council (TCC) to relieve water restrictions as soon as possible. By structuring the contracts so that design could be completed in parallel with early construction activity, CH2M Beca was able to meet this challenge and enable the plant to come on line prior to the summer peak.

TCC has continued to use our designs and project management services for other microfiltration plants. CH2M Beca prepared a Technology Options Report for Tauranga’s Oropi Membrane Plant, which was then let as a turnkey contract based closely on the Joyce Road Plant design with the contract managed by others.

CH2M Beca has more recently been appointed as the Engineering Consultant for TCC’s next microfiltration facility, the $50 million Waiari Water Treatment Plant, and has prepared the engineering design concepts upon which the consent has now been obtained.

Client: Tauranga City Council.