A planned wastewater reticulation and treatment system for the Matata township is being re-evaluated.

The wastewater scheme was first proposed by the Whakatane District Council in 2004, but the flooding and debris disaster which struck the town in 2005 saw the development scheme put on hold.

Flooding in Matata is a problem when heavy rain hits the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Infrastructure acting general manager Paula Chapman says since then the project scope has undergone a number of changes and the estimated cost of the development has increased from $4.5 million to $10.3 million.

She says a $6.7 million Ministry of Health subsidy is available for the project, meaning the district's share of the cost was likely to be in the order of $4 million.

'As part of the preliminary work before reactivating the project, council staff has reviewed the original business case and health impact assessment supporting the proposal.

'The information provided is less than compelling and we therefore believe it is both prudent and responsible to revisit the need for wastewater treatment before proceeding.”

Letters explaining the need for a project review and the process to be followed were distributed house-to-house throughout Matatā over the weekend and have also been posted to non-resident property owners.

'There is a degree of urgency involved because if a wastewater scheme is required, construction must have started before June 30, 2014.

'The first stage of the review will see a detailed water quality survey of streams and groundwater carried out at a number of locations around the township over the next two weeks.

'Together with historical data and more recent testing results, that will form the basis of a more holistic assessment of any health risks associated with Matatā's current on-site septic tank effluent disposal systems.”

Paula says if the water quality survey results indicate there is a problem, the council will then review all of the treatment systems considered to date, and any other viable options, and report back to the community within two months.

The water quality testing and, if necessary, reappraisal of viable treatment options, are being carried out by engineering consultancy Beca.

Matatā residents have been asked to assist the process by completing a questionnaire on the effectiveness of their septic tank systems and any perceived problems relating to stream or groundwater contamination.