Up to 200 litres of diesel has run into a Whangarei stream leading into the city's Hatea River after thieves broke into a Kamo business and cut a fuel hose to steal diesel from a 300-litre tank.
An undetermined amount of diesel was drained from the tank before the thieves left. The rest spilled into an internal drain and, from there, ran into the Waitaua Stream, which flows into the Hatea River.
On Wednesday contractors recovered about 100 litres from near the tank but Northland Regional Council staff said up to 200 litres had been carried down the stream and could not be recovered.
The council is warning people not to take any water from the stream or the Hatea River for at least two days.
It is the second incident involving stolen and spilled diesel in Whangarei this week.
On Sunday night, about 500 litres of diesel was left to drain on to the ground after thieves broke into a Port Rd business yard. It was collected before it ran into Whangarei Harbour.
Council staff believe the diesel is being stolen for use in illegal vehicle burnouts.
- NZPA
Diesel thieves let 200 litres of fuel contaminate river
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