Dumpers could contaminate river

FILTH: Discarded bags of rubbish beside the Waingawa River.

Be warned! If you dump rubbish you risk not only facing the law but the wrath of someone who says he'd dump it in your driveway.

People have used the turning area beside Waingawa River off Hughes Line to dump household furniture, rubbish, old tyres, bags of rotting garbage and bricks, among other items normally destined for the landfill.

The rubbish is dumped right beside the river where people swim; some of the discards burned with even more leaving the air with the stench of fermenting garbage.

Carterton District Council operations manager Garry Baker said on the odd occasion they discovered the illegal dumping ground being used and it was "disgusting".

"I'd make them pay. If I had my way I'd collect it and tip it on their driveway so they could find out just what it is like," he said. "It's disgusting but unfortunately we do have some people in our society who are like that."

Discarded rubbish attracted vermin like rats and mice and could contaminate the waterway, Mr Baker said.

"Water is a precious commodity at the moment and we can't afford to have it contaminated by thoughtless people who dump their rubbish where ever they like."

Rubbish was checked to try to identify where it came from and if the dumper was identified or was witnessed dumping, they would be prosecuted, he said.

Taking a trailer load of rubbish to the Dalefield Rd Transfer Station costs $35.

To take a car load to the Masterton District Council Landfill the cost is $19, a small trailer or van full of rubbish is $44 or $57 for a larger trailer.