Staged Drinking Water Treatment Delivery for Growth in Morrinsville
The Lockerbie Water Treatment Plant was developed to support growth within a new residential subdivision in Morrinsville. Elevated iron and manganese in the bore supply required treatment to prevent discolouration and achieve compliance with New Zealand drinking water standards (DWSNZ).
Matamata-Piako District Council required an interim solution during the design and construction of the permanent facility.
FILTEC delivered a staged Design & Construct solution comprising a 1 MLD temporary containerised plant followed by a permanent 4 MLD greensand pressure filtration facility, expandable to 5 MLD. The completed plant provides iron and manganese removal for drinking water, integrated UV disinfection and final chlorination within a purpose-built facility.
Iron and Manganese Removal Within a Residential Setting
The bore source required iron and manganese removal to prevent aesthetic water quality issues and maintain compliance. The plant was to be located within a residential subdivision with strict boundary noise limits and visual constraints. The project required:
Immediate DWSNZ-compliant treatment
4-log protozoal reduction
Continuity of supply during temporary-to-permanent transition
Compact building layout with acoustic control
Capacity for future growth
The solution needed to address water quality performance and community constraints within the same delivery programme.
Greensand Pressure Filtration with Integrated Disinfection
FILTEC designed the permanent Lockerbie Water Treatment Plant around greensand pressure filtration, selected for its proven capability in iron and manganese removal for drinking water sourced from bores.
Two Glacier horizontal greensand vessels (10 m² area)
PVC lateral underdrain suitable for air scour
UV disinfection - 4-log protozoa (40 mJ/cm²)
Sodium hypochlorite dosing for residual disinfection
Integrated instrumentation and control systems
Greensand pressure filtration removes soluble and particulate iron and manganese prior to UV disinfection and chlorination, providing a multi-barrier pathway to DWSNZ compliance.
Staged Temporary-to-Permanent Delivery
To ensure immediate compliance, FILTEC first delivered a 1 MLD containerised treatment plant. This temporary facility mitigated iron and manganese discolouration risk and provided compliant drinking water while the permanent 4 MLD facility was designed and constructed in parallel.
Design and construction under a Design & Construct model
Civil, structural, mechanical and process integration
Electrical, automation and SCADA integration
Geotechnical investigations and building consenting
Prefabrication of pipework and dosing assemblies
Parallel development of both facilities ensured programme certainty and uninterrupted supply to the subdivision.
Residential Integration and Acoustic Mitigation
Given the plant’s location within a residential neighbourhood, acoustic compliance was central to the design. FILTEC undertook:
Detailed acoustic modelling
Building orientation and equipment layout optimisation
Internal acoustic lining and attenuated housings for pumps and blowers
Architectural treatment to reduce visual impact
This approach ensured compliance with boundary noise limits while maintaining automated operation.
Comprehensive commissioning, operator training and documentation supported a smooth handover to MPDC, with ongoing service and technical support available as required.
Compliant Drinking Water for a Growing Community
The completed Lockerbie Water Treatment Plant now delivers:
Iron and manganese removal for drinking water
4-log protozoal reduction (UV)
Multi-barrier treatment: filtration, UV and chlorination
Immediate and ongoing DWSNZ compliance
Expansion capacity to 5 MLD
Low-impact residential integration
Through staged delivery, integrated design and construct management, and robust greensand pressure filtration water treatment technology, FILTEC has helped support continued growth and regulatory compliance for the Lockerbie community in Morrinsville.
