New Plymouth District Council has approved a $4.3 million repair to a component of its wastewater treatment plant.
A wastewater treatment plant (File image). Photo: 123RF
It has also committed to investigating alternatives to the gas-fired plant that have cleaner emissions.
A council report blamed maintenance cost-cutting at the thermal drying unit - which dried sewage for use as fertiliser - for the plant being "at risk of sudden and total failure".
It was shut down today.
Climate Justice Taranaki's spokesperson Catherine Cheung told the council today it was a chance to commit to a more environment-friendly dryer.
The council deferred a planned replacement of the dryer by 10 years.