Clutha Oxidation Ponds

CleanStream NZ hit the road and headed south for the Clutha District Council project broken up over multiple financial years. The project involved sludge removal of 12 oxidation ponds across 10 distinct sites. As the size of the ponds varied, two different amphibious dredging machines were used. For the main Balclutha pond (61,000m2) our larger Amphiking machine was used for its higher pumping capacity. Large dewatering bags (approximate footprint of 425m2) were used to complete the sheer scale of the task, where tens of thousands of cubic meters of sludge have been successfully removed and dewatered. Alternatively, Truxor was utilised on the smaller ponds where space was an issue and establishment costs were able to be reduced. Having a range of equipment gives CleanStream NZ flexibility to tackle a wide-range of projects efficiently. Numerous challenges faced the team daily – especially during the colder winter months. Sheet ice across the top of the ponds, frozen pipes and frost on the dewatering bags were a familiar sight. However, CleanStream NZ have the technology, equipment and technical experience to work in a wide range of environmental extremes.