Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger’s proposal to discharge partially treated wastewater through the ocean outfall has received cautious backing from councillors, as pressure mounts to address the worsening stench from the city’s damaged treatment plant.

On Monday, Phil Mauger told chrislynchmedia.com the council was investigating whether tens of millions of litres of partially treated and chlorinated wastewater could be pumped into the ocean each day in an attempt to reduce the smell.

The proposal emerged as the council faces mounting complaints from residents and regulatory pressure.

Environment Canterbury last week issued the council with an abatement notice after receiving more than 4500 odour complaints in the past month.

Two councillors representing Christchurch eastern suburbs said the idea deserved investigation but stressed important questions still needed to be answered.

Yani Johanson said “the Council needs to look at all feasible options to how the city deals with wastewater to reduce the stench that is causing widespread sickness and suffering in the local community.

“It needs to act with urgency to address this significant event by finding solutions to alleviate the stench as soon as possible. This is a public health crisis and it requires action to be taken in the short term. The community cannot be expected to suffer for another three years to the degree they are at the moment.”

Johanson said he had only recently learned of the specific proposal and was waiting for further information.

“In regards to this specific proposal, I have only just heard about in the last couple of days and have not been briefed by Council staff or received any detailed information on it other than the rather generic Council update.

“There are a number of questions about the feasibility and the environmental impact that need to be addressed and I look forward to the investigation to see if the concept is a realistic option that can be implemented to help reduce the stench.”

Burwood Ward Councillor Kelly Barber said “I definitely support the proposal to look for alternative solutions to reducing the odour problem at the wastewater treatment plant.

“Council staff have looked at many options to optimise the wastewater treatment process but when weather conditions are against them, the odour is still a problem.

“This proposed solution is absolutely worthy of further consideration and is being investigated thoroughly. My understanding is that it could potentially alleviate the problem until the new plant is fully operational. We owe it to the people affected to consider and evaluate every alternative.”