Leaks from sewage pipeline threaten Far North's poor

Dr Jonathan Jarman

Poor Northlanders face serious illness unless a leaky sewage pipeline is replaced, the area's medical officer of health says.

Dr Jonathan Jarman said it was "unacceptable" that 2.5 million litres of raw sewage had burst from the 7km Bay of Islands pipeline in the past two months, with some of the sewage infiltrating an estuary where people gathered shellfish.

Many of those who collected and ate shellfish from the Waitangi estuary did so out of economic necessity and the shellfish were their main source of protein, he said.

"Shellfish from the Waitangi estuary are off the menu until May 8. It's very likely they were contaminated with human faeces during last week's spill."

Two large spills within two months were unacceptable, he said. "We urge the Far North District Council to urgently fix the problem even if it means replacing the entire pipeline."

Some families struggling to make ends meet had continued collecting the shellfish from the estuary in the past, despite signs warning them of health risks.

"They said they had to keep on collecting it because they were hungry," Dr Jarman said.

The main risk from eating faecally contaminated shellfish was a viral infection that caused vomiting and diarrhoea.

"Generally it's not a life-threatening disease but the very young and elderly can suffer from more severe symptoms."

Recommendations to councillors, including that the line be replaced, were expected to be delivered by council staff next month. Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp has said she "totally supports" this work.