Diesel spill almost cleared

A cleanup effort following a spill of up to 10,000 litres of diesel into Christchurch's Heathcote River was today almost complete as investigators prepared to speak to those responsible.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) regional council director of regulation Mike Freeman said the diesel appeared to come from a sump in an industrial area near the southern motorway.

The spill stretched about 20km down the river affecting hundreds of birds, many of which were caught by rescuers during the weekend.

At least 20 ducks had died, some having been put down, since the spill as the effects of hydrocarbon toxicity set in, a local vet said yesterday.

Mr Freeman said the cleanup was almost complete this morning and the river was looking good.

Rain early this morning may have helped the process , but there were still concerns continued rain could release more diesel from the river's banks.

"We'll know a bit more when the guys go out and look at the whole length of the river," he told National Radio.

Mr Freeman said the council had "strong leads" as to how the diesel got into the sump, and which particular property produced it in the first place."

Council staff would be speaking to the organisation suspected to be at the centre of the issue later this morning .

The Fire Service and council staff were informed about missing diesel last week, but there was initial confusion whether it had seeped into the river or had been stolen, Mr Freeman said.

Mr Freeman defended the council's reaction to the incident and said the diesel was difficult to trace.

"I think everybody did as much as they could during the week. It took about three hours of intense investigation by a number of staff and others assisting on Saturday to finally track down and find the sump -- this sump was not easy to find," Mr Freeman said.

Christchurch-based Green MP Rod Donald, who lives close to the Heathcote River, yesterday encouraged ECan to prosecute.

"Whether this was deliberate or through carelessness they should prosecute...they need to send a clear message to stop this type of catastrophe happening," Mr Donald said.

- NZPA