Septic tanks get pollution blame

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

Septic tank contamination of Tauranga Harbour at Te Puna is causing serious health risks, authorities warned yesterday.

Since last year, levels of bacteria "akin to that of raw sewage" had been found in drains discharging on to the sand and into the estuary north of Tauranga, said Environment Bay of Plenty regulation and resource manager Paul Dell.

Further investigation and an intensified sampling programme had revealed contamination "hot spots", especially on low-lying land around the Waitui Reserve.

Signs cautioning against swimming have been erected.

The pollution is thought to come from overloaded or poorly functioning septic tanks.

"Traditionally, Te Puna was full of baches people only visited for holidays," Mr Dell said.

"Now the community has mostly permanent residents.

"It seems septic tanks aren't coping with the change."

Small children playing in the undiluted water from the drains were most at risk.

The contamination also posed serious health concerns for people enjoying recreation in the shallow margins of the estuary, he said.

Bay of Plenty medical officer of health Phil Shoemack said swimmers risked a range of infections, including stomach bugs.

Seepage could occur anywhere there was a concentration of septic tanks near waterways.

Such tanks would have been appropriate at Te Puna years ago, he said.

But the settlement had grown and a few hundred people now lived there permanently in quite substantial homes.

Dr Shoemack said it was time to start planning a reticulated sewerage scheme for the area.

Meanwhile, residents were being asked to have their septic tanks cleaned and checked.

"It is not an overnight problem and it is going to take a long-term solution."

He said similar contamination was evident in the Maketu estuary, near Te Puke, where small communities used septic tanks for sewage disposal.

Herald feature: Environment