The treatment plant that has attracted scores of complaints. Photo: Google Maps
Greater Wellington Regional Council has issued thousands of dollars worth of fines over illegal odours coming from a Lower Hutt wastewater treatment plant.
Between 31 October and 12 December 111 complaints were made regarding a smell described as "sickening" by some residents.
The issue triggered Greater Wellington Regional Council to investigate the issue in November.
The probe found there were 13 incidents of offensive and objectionable odour beyond the boundary of the property resulting in infringement notices.
Wellington Water and service provider Veolia were charged $22,750 each for 26 instances of non-compliance.
Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council have also been issued infringement notices for breaches of abatement notices - with a cost per council of $9750.
Greater Wellington Regional Council environment group manager Lian Butcher said the council did not take this step lightly.
"Issuing fines is an enforcement approach that takes a lot of consideration.
"But following non-compliance with the consent conditions and subsequent abatement notices, and given the severity of the odour, there were very few options left available to us other than issuing these infringements."
Butcher hoped replacing the plant's biofilter media to mitigate odour would put an end to the discomfort felt in neighbourhoods adjacent to the treatment plant.
The replacement is due to be completed in mid-February 2024.
Greater Wellington would continue to monitor odours for compliance with all relevant consents, Butcher said.