Sludge Watch ==> New Zealand - they have given up on the sludge vitrification plant

[Maureen Reilly]

Lemar admits defeat
Thursday, 30 August 2007, 9:33 am
Press Release: Kapiti Coast District Council
30 August 2007
Lemar admits defeat

“The end of Lemar’s effort to make the sewage sludge vitrification plant 
work in the way it was intended is bitterly disappointing,” Kapiti Coast 
District Mayor Alan Milne said today.

“After they were unable to complete the contract and could not collect the 
final payment of $500,000 they spent a further $350,000 of their money, not 
Council’s, trying to make the plant work but they have finally had to admit 
defeat,” Mr Milne said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0708/S00355.htm

After nearly two years trying to make the final stage of the Lemar sewage 
sludge vitrification plant work as intended, Lemar Environmental has advised 
Kapiti Coast District Council that they are ceasing their efforts with the 
technology.

The programme, which included consultation with experts in the field, trials 
on the plant, computer modelling and research into both the technical and 
international marketing prospects for the combustion technology “has led to 
the determination that Lemar should cease to continue its endeavours with 
sludge vitrification technology,” Lemar Environmental director, Mr C.I.G. 
Wilson said in a letter to the Council.

Following the mutually agreed cessation of the uncompleted contract two 
years ago, Lemar was working on a non-contractual and without prejudice 
basis to complete the Lemar Plant at Paraparaumu. There was no cost to 
Council for this work.

“This programme, where costs have now exceeded $350,000, was undertaken on 
the initiative of Lemar for the potential mutual benefit of both Council and 
Lemar,” Mr Wilson said.

The drying plant continues to function effectively and produces 8 cubic 
metres per day of dried sludge but this is a far cry from the far smaller, 
lighter and completely inert vitrified sludge the plant was supposed to 
produce.

“While the dryer is effective, it’s not producing what the Council of the 
day signed up for,” Mr Milne said.

Lemar have offered their services to maximise the potential of the drying 
system by converting the dryer to an alternative fuel from the diesel it is 
currently burning to dry the sludge.

“The Council will need to consider this offer and its implications,” Mayor 
Milne said. “A report will come to the next Finance & Audit Committee 
meeting on September 6.”

ENDS