Vandals who caused up to $14,000 damage to a wastewater pond have been identified, and advised of the "serious" health risks they put themselves at - thanks to a quick response from the Central Hawke's Bay community.
On Wednesday morning "extensive damage" to Otane Wastewater Oxidation Pond equipment was discovered, after two data points stopped working.
Central Hawke's Bay District Council staff inspected the site and found the composite sampler in the pond, the aerator cable undone and the bottom diffuser of the aerator not working as the electrical connection was severed.
The data logger was ripped out and was later found in the pond. The cap from the top of the data logger was used to block the outflow pipe from the discharge channel.
Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said it was thought the damage had been caused by youths "mucking around".