Abel Tasman Sewage Management
Development
Bark Bay Camp – site layout plan (click to enlarge)
Bark Bay septic tank
The buried septic tanks and pump tank at Bark Bay are located only 0.5m above high water spring and required careful design and monitoring.
While the treatment of sewage need not be technically complex, the location of the project created a number of significant challenges to be addressed.
COP Outcome development and evaluation
Estimating projected user demand
The project included sites controlled by DOC and sites only accessed by kayakers and water skiers. Knowing accurate current and projected demand for toilet and washing facilities in the Park was critical to the success of the facilities design. As existing information was insufficient, DOC made the decision to delay the project for a season so that a detailed monitoring programme could be completed. Analysis of the information gathered enabled appropriate decisions to be made on the nature and capacity of the onsite treatment systems selected and the energy needed for pumping.
Legislative requirements and constraints
A complex array of legislation applies to activities undertaken with the Park, including the National Parks Act, the Conservation Act, the Foreshore and Seabed Endowment Reinvesting Act, Historic Places Act, the Health Act, the Building Act, and the Resource Management Act. Relevant legislative requirements were identified in the Stage 1 sewage management 'issues and options' report and appropriate management procedures were determined and documented in the Sewage Management Plan.
COP Outcome development and evaluation
Cultural values
Historical occupation along the coastline by the tangata whenua meant there was potential risk associated with archaeological sites being disturbed or affected during the development and operation of wastewater facilities. The discharge of human waste is of particular concern to the tangata whenua. DOC representatives consulted extensively with Iwi to identify issues of concern and agree appropriate design and implementation requirements. During construction an Iwi observor an archaeologist and a DOC staff member were present to monitor the construction process and offer immediate advice in the event any archaeological sites were inadvertently disturbed.
