SymPOOsium Report Published - 24 September 2021
Some Ōwhiro Bay residents were at the SymPOOsium on 26 July. It was an interesting morning at which a selection of experts and community members discussed Wellington's wastewater system - current problems and possible future solutions. Here is the report.
SymPOOsium Update - 15th August 2021
- Alison Forrest
Some of Owhiro Bay residents and committee members went along to a ‘SymPOOsium’
on 26 July. It was held at the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s flash new offices in
Cuba St and organised by a breakfast group called ‘Beyond the Pipes’ which some of us
became involved in to try and get the sewage out of the Landfill.
It was an interesting morning: we heard and exchanged ideas about Wellington’s sewage problems and possible alternatives to the profligate use of potable water in flushing sewage. WCC and GW Councillors, Green MP Eugenie Sage, engineers, water experts and many other
experts and interested people were there.
Through two facilitated panel discussions, this ‘symPOOsium’ took a close look at
Wellington’s current wastewater and sanitation system, considered whether we need to
invest in alternative approaches to managing human waste and wastewater, and if so, how
and where to start.
Panellists explored a wide range of questions, including how can we ensure sustainability and resilience in our approach to wastewater and sanitation for a growing population in a city prone to earthquakes? - The interim solution is to fix the pipes, stop sewage being buried and stop the pollution. A longer term solution might be to look for a different paradigm altogether.
Liam Prince, of The Rubbish Trip and SymPOOsium organiser and Grant Symons of
Transition HQ facilitated.
The first panel looked at the current situation in Wellington: Michelle Larenson and Marie Wright from Your Bay Your Say, residents and activists in Titahi Bay – talking about the dire state of sewage pollution in Titahi Bay.
Martin Payne, Systems Engineer specialising in urban water and energy systems, and coordinating member of Friends of Owhiro Stream - talking about the regional pipe network and the usage of water.
Te Kawa Robb , kaiārahi (waste advisor) for the Māori Zero Waste organisation, Para
Kore – talking about Māori-led environmental restoration projects.
Dr Maria Gutierrez-Gines, a Biowaste Senior Scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) – talking about the challenges and opportunities that surround the beneficial reuse of biosolids on crops.
After a break we heard from the second panel about how to move forward: Grant Symons – talking about a transition strategy needed for us to adapt to climate change.
Matt Brenin of GreenEarth Development talking about composting loos Councillor David Lee of GWRC - talking about his composting toilet projects.
Afterwards there was a free sustainable lunch and some networking!
We are expecting that there will be one or more follow-up SymPOOsiums to look in more
detail at the new ideas and technology Wellington should be considering.
on 26 July. It was held at the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s flash new offices in
Cuba St and organised by a breakfast group called ‘Beyond the Pipes’ which some of us
became involved in to try and get the sewage out of the Landfill.
It was an interesting morning: we heard and exchanged ideas about Wellington’s sewage problems and possible alternatives to the profligate use of potable water in flushing sewage. WCC and GW Councillors, Green MP Eugenie Sage, engineers, water experts and many other
experts and interested people were there.
Through two facilitated panel discussions, this ‘symPOOsium’ took a close look at
Wellington’s current wastewater and sanitation system, considered whether we need to
invest in alternative approaches to managing human waste and wastewater, and if so, how
and where to start.
Panellists explored a wide range of questions, including how can we ensure sustainability and resilience in our approach to wastewater and sanitation for a growing population in a city prone to earthquakes? - The interim solution is to fix the pipes, stop sewage being buried and stop the pollution. A longer term solution might be to look for a different paradigm altogether.
Liam Prince, of The Rubbish Trip and SymPOOsium organiser and Grant Symons of
Transition HQ facilitated.
The first panel looked at the current situation in Wellington: Michelle Larenson and Marie Wright from Your Bay Your Say, residents and activists in Titahi Bay – talking about the dire state of sewage pollution in Titahi Bay.
Martin Payne, Systems Engineer specialising in urban water and energy systems, and coordinating member of Friends of Owhiro Stream - talking about the regional pipe network and the usage of water.
Te Kawa Robb , kaiārahi (waste advisor) for the Māori Zero Waste organisation, Para
Kore – talking about Māori-led environmental restoration projects.
Dr Maria Gutierrez-Gines, a Biowaste Senior Scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) – talking about the challenges and opportunities that surround the beneficial reuse of biosolids on crops.
After a break we heard from the second panel about how to move forward: Grant Symons – talking about a transition strategy needed for us to adapt to climate change.
Matt Brenin of GreenEarth Development talking about composting loos Councillor David Lee of GWRC - talking about his composting toilet projects.
Afterwards there was a free sustainable lunch and some networking!
We are expecting that there will be one or more follow-up SymPOOsiums to look in more
detail at the new ideas and technology Wellington should be considering.
