Apex Water completed the upgrade of Meremere wastewater treatment plant for Watercare in the Waikato District. In order to improve effluent quality and cater for future growth in the area, the facility was expanded with a new membrane bioreactor (MBR) designed and constructed by Apex, along with other upgrades to ancillary processes. The existing plant was taken from a low level of mechanization to a futureproof, state-of-the-art autonomous process.The project involved considerable enabling works to reclaim parts of the existing oxidation pond. These were managed directly by Apex during the development of the mechanical design, therefore allowing efficient delivery of the entire project within 12 months. Apex also directed the electrical, control and automation upgrades, enabling design changes and additions to the scope to be implemented efficiently through a single workgroup.The approach taken allowed the successful delivery of the project within schedule while also providing the Principal flexibility to adapt the design to evolving project requirements. The exceptional reliability and performance of the new process enabled the facility to be granted a new 35 year discharge consent.