The pristine waters of Lake Waikaremoana are at risk from boaties, kayakers, and other water users transferring an invasive pest. Photo / Holly Reid for NZ Herald
A new invasive pest could pose a threat to power generation at Lake Waikaremoana.
Genesis Energy Limited says it is concerned about the impact freshwater gold clams could have on generation due to fouling up of intakes and pipework, as evidenced overseas, and the impacts their spread could have on
native habitats.
Following the discovery of the pest clams in the Waikato in May last year, Genesis has met regularly with the Ministry for Primary Industries and followed evolving advice via their website to ensure the company is following best practices.
A spokesperson for Genesis said that as an initial response to the discovery the company had ordered site-specific hydrological survey equipment, including for Waikaremoana; updated and re-distributed the Genesis-wide freshwater decontamination procedures to include clam-specific “check, clean, dry” information; and created a contractor quality assurance checklist, that enables water-based contractors coming on site to work with generation staff to identify if they should be undertaking a clam-specific or regular check, clean, dry before or after their work.
“Following those initial actions, which were in place by early July, we have also held a number of water-based contractor workshops, and sought further advice from MPI as necessary, such as for the decontamination of pumps.
