Sewage leaks prompt norovirus warning for Waitangi

Northland's medical officer of health Jonathan Jarman says norovirus, spread by human waste, is the most immediate health concern following the repeated sewage leaks into the Waitangi estuary.

Dr Jarman said the virus did not cause serious illness in ordinary healthy people, but could be a problem for children, old people and others with compromised immune systems.

The 7.5km Bay of Islands sewer line has spilt an estimated 2.5 million litres of sewage in the past two months, some of it running into the estuary.

"Two large sewage spills within two months is not acceptable," he said.

An important problem was that although signs had been posted banning the collecting of shellfish in the estuary until May 8, some people in the region relied on gathering wild shellfish for food.

In the latest case, it was likely that shellfish in the estuary had been contaminated by human faeces during the most recent spill last week.

The problem was that once one person fell sick with norovirus, it was likely to be very infectious and spread widely.

"Putting up the signs goes a long way to reduce the risk, but there are people who don't have that choice and keep eating the kai moana because they are hungry," said Dr Jarman.

"We urge the Far North District Council to urgently fix the problem - even it if means replacing the entire pipeline."

But a regional councillor, Ian Walker, who is also president of Northland Federated Farmers, said last night that the Northland Regional Council will pass on to the Government and the district council a call for central government help.

In a submission to the regional council, Federated Farmers yesterday called for the Government to intervene.

It said the regional council should ask for grants and loans under the Health Act to fund repairs to the district council's sewerage systems.

It also wants Environment Minister David Benson-Pope and Local Government Minister Chris Carter to visit the area and inspect the problems.

Mr Walker said the farmers' group particularly wanted the ministers to see the impact on oyster farmers in the Waikare Inlet.

Some marine farms there have been closed since September 2001 because norovirus was found in shellfish taken from the area.

Farmers claiming the Kawakawa sewage treatment station is one of the sources of the virus have sued the council for damages.

Mr Walker said the farmers wanted Mr Carter to use his powers of review to inquire into the way the district council had handled its responsibilities.

"It's not just a capital funding issue - this is an continuing lack of maintenance, a lack of good quality management and poor strategic planning."

- NZPA