Contamination alert after geothermal eruption

Environment Waikato has scrambled its "ready response" team as contaminated water from this week's geothermal eruption near Reporoa makes its way into the Waikato River.

A stream which runs from the eruption site to the river has turned a greyish, muddy colour as a result of Tuesday's huge blast.

The regional council is today sending scientists to take samples of the material contaminating the water and analyse its potential effects.

Experts say the river may "run muddy" for several weeks. If so, it could significantly affect those who use the river for recreational purposes or source water from it.

Environment Waikato spokesman Tony Fenton it was possible towns such as Cambridge and Huntly, which took water from the river, may have find an alternative source.

However, that was a "worst case" scenario, he said.

Farmers around the area which use river water for irrigation might also need to be notified.

The council would know more about the effects once the extent and severity of the contamination was established by today's testing.

The contamination is one of the only clues outside the area to the huge eruption -- which is believed to be one of the biggest in New Zealand in at least 50 years.

It is believed to have been three times the size of the blast in Rotorua's Kuirau Park in 2001.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)