Katikati Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

Project Overview

Western Bay District Council recently completed a major upgrade at the Katikati Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet stringent nitrogen removal standards. The solution involved the design and installation of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) system, delivered in partnership with Apex Water and supported by Lutra as the technical advisor.

Challenge

The council needed to ensure compliance with nitrogen discharge limits while maintaining operational efficiency. This required a robust, scalable solution that could integrate with existing infrastructure and deliver consistent performance.

Solution

Lutra worked with Western Bay of Plenty disctrict council from the very start of the project, first by running a small scale pilot plant onsite, the results of which informed the process design and reference design for the tender. Lutra also helped put the tender package together and assess the submissions. Lutra then help support the commissioning and testing phases of the MBBR implementation.

• Technology Implemented: MBBR system designed and built by Apex Water.
• Lutra’s Role: Provided technical support throughout the entire project lifecycle:
  • Pilot plant trial - the results of which were used to inform and de-risk the design
  • Preliminary process design
  • Reference design for the tender package
  • Tender writing
  • Construction partner selection including design reviews
  • Commissioning and operational material

Lutra’s expertise ensured that the system was optimized for performance and reliability, enabling the council to meet environmental compliance targets.

Outcome

• The upgraded plant is now fully operational and managed by the council’s operations team.
• The solution successfully achieves nitrogen removal standards, safeguarding local waterways and supporting community expectations.
• The collaborative approach between Western Bay District Council, Apex Water, and Lutra delivered a cost-effective, future-ready wastewater treatment solution.

— Divesh Sami, Project Engineer, Western Bay District Council