Green, effluent-filled stream appalls Waikato Regional Council

A green stream near an Otorohanga dairy farm has disgusted the Waikato Regional Council.

A stream running green with dairy effluent from two separate sources on the same Otorohanga dairy farm has appalled Waikato Regional Council officers.

"The council is particularly concerned that one of the discharges to the stream appears to have been ongoing and deliberate," said investigations manager Patrick Lynch.

The contamination was found in the stream west of Otorohanga on Friday after a tip-off from a member of the public.

"We do not usually report this kind of incident until after it has been through a court process," said Mr Lynch.

"However, what we found on this occasion is of real concern. We have many farmers doing the right thing by the environment in our region but unfortunately there are still some in the sector who, quite simply, don't seem to care."

Mr Lynch said he was very thankful to the member of the public who contacted the council and provided very good information.

"This person had noted that a stream, that normally runs clear, was running green over several days particularly early in the morning. Our incident response team did an excellent job on Friday morning by being at the stream at first light. They observed the pollution in the stream and were able to track it back some distance to its source.

"We will launch a formal investigation and, though we remain open-minded about the circumstances surrounding this, it is very likely that enforcement action will follow."

A video clip made by attending officers showing a pipe that was put in place allegedly to discharge effluent to the stream can be viewed below or on our Facebook page.

Otorohanga stream ‘runs green’ with effluent

Otorohanga stream ‘runs green’ with effluent A stream running green with dairy effluent from two separate sources on the same Otorohanga dairy farm has appalled Waikato Regional Council officers. “The council is particularly concerned that one of the discharges to the stream appears to have been ongoing and deliberate,” said investigations manager Patrick Lynch. The contamination was found in the stream west of Otorohanga on Friday after a tip-off from a member of the public. “We do not usually report this kind of incident until after it has been through a court process,” said Mr Lynch. “However, what we found on this occasion is of real concern. We have many farmers doing the right thing by the environment in our region but unfortunately there are still some in the sector who, quite simply, don’t seem to care.” Mr Lynch said he was very thankful to the member of the public who contacted the council and provided very good information. “This person had noted that a stream, that normally runs clear, was running green over several days particularly early in the morning. Our incident response team did an excellent job on Friday morning by being at the stream at first light. They observed the pollution in the stream and were able to track it back some distance to its source. “We will launch a formal investigation and, though we remain open-minded about the circumstances surrounding this, it is very likely that enforcement action will follow.”

Posted by Te Awamutu Courier on Tuesday, September 5, 2017