Plant breaches cannot continue

WHAT'S wrong with this picture? The Marton wastewater treatment plant has operated in breach of its resource consent, on and off, for 10 years.

Leachate is entering the Tutaenui Stream where worryingly high ammonia levels have been recorded, and the Rangitikei District Council has a history of "significant non-compliance", according to Horizons Regional Council which has the unenviable job of policing these matters.

Despite noting that ammonia levels in the stream would "have had a significant detrimental effect on aquatic life", Horizons has not taken enforcement action against the council.

Elsewhere, Wanganui District Council is pumping its waste - admittedly pre-treated - into the sea while it tries to get its treatment plant sorted. Again, on Horizons' watch.

Meanwhile, the Imlay meatworks causes a stink and breaches its resource consent and is fined by Horizons.

Clearly, one law for the public sector and another for the private.

But spare a thought for Horizons, which is caught between a rock and a hard place.

It has the job of protecting our environment and waterways by stamping on any breaches. But it is dealing with councils that are flailing uncertainly at complex wastewater issues that sometimes seem beyond them.

The big stick approach means fines - which means money from the ratepayers' pocket - and does that bring councils any nearer a solution to their water woes? Probably not.

The regional council no doubt has sympathy for its district colleagues and has taken a pragmatic approach, working with them to address the problems.

It's rehabilitation rather than punishment, though it makes our regional watchdogs look like a soft touch.

Meanwhile, one worries about the damage being done to our rivers, streams and the sea. One thing is for sure, it cannot go on like this for another 10 years.