Farmers advised to exercise caution

Horizons Regional Council is advising farmers who take water directly from the Mokotuku Stream to exercise caution before turning on their pumps or providing this water to stock.

Horizons group manager strategy and regulation Dr Nic Peet says “stock are pretty smart and they are likely to turn up their nose at contaminated water however, we advise using common sense particularly following heavy rain”.

“Controlled flushing, along with last night’s rainfall and the installation of booms has helped to remove, mobilise and dilute diesel in the stream, but if you smell diesel or see a sheen it is best to leave your pump off and seek an alternative water source.

“If you do pump, keep your intake well below the water surface.”

Horizons staff will be carrying out a visual inspection of the Makotuku Stream today, with more substantial rainfall forecast for Friday.

It is thought this rain will help to flush the remaining diesel through and Horizons staff will monitor again early next week to determine its effect. Current samples from the Makotuku Stream are variable with some slightly higher than limits for stock water and others below.

Approximately 100 cubic metres of contaminated soil has now been removed from the Turoa site and soil samples have also been taken up and around the main spill paths for clean-up and remediation purposes.

Dr Peet says Horizons has launched a formal investigation under the Resource Management Act. This is a role that regional councils have across the country in response to environmental incidents.

“The first step in this process is to investigate what happened, why it happened and what steps were taken following the incident.

“We will be looking at everything from the origins of the consent to actions taken on the mountain, with a view to considering our regulatory options once this investigation is complete. Horizons is not the consent authority for diesel storage so there is no conflict for the Council,” he says.

More information about the situation as it relates to Raetihi’s water supply can be found on the Ruapehu District Council website www.ruapehudc.govt.nz

ENDS

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