The long-awaited review into Whanganui's failed wastewater treatment plant has revealed "a sobering saga of shortcomings and mistakes", according to district council chief executive Kym Fell.
The review report by Robert Domm was presented to councillors yesterday morning, and Mr Fell said it showed that mistakes had cost the Whanganui community $27 million.
He added that the issues around the plant had generated much anger and anxiety among residents and damaged the district's reputation.
"The report finds that council's decision-making process in 2003 and 2004 allowed a hybrid plant design to be constructed - a plant which was untried and untested anywhere in the world, and created entirely by council staff and their consultants," Mr Fell said.
"Particularly troubling are the findings that the council was misinformed by staff, principally at critical decision-making meetings in February and November 2004, which led to incorrect decisions being made, and that known risks were downplayed by staff.