Effluent turns pristine pond into sludge

The dumping of green, sludgy dairy farm effluent into a pristine Maketu waterway has caused a stink with local residents and sparked an investigation from environmental authorities.
Arawa Ave residents Leon and Jill Phare woke on Monday last week to find the normally tranquil and clear stream that runs through their property filled with pungent green goo.
"All you could smell was cow [faeces]," Mr Phare said.
The waterway swells into a pond on the Phares' property before flowing out towards Newdicks Beach.
Mr Phare said it was just the other day he was admiring its beauty as he mowed the lawns.
"It's usually so crystal clear."
Last week, it was "green and gushing" and the bottom could not be seen through the murky sludge, Mr Phare said.
The Phares have lived on their land for 30 years and "wanted to keep it nice". They grow organic oranges, grapes, tamarillos, kiwifruit, apples and walnuts. The pond was home to fish and ducks plus a "booming" crop of watercress.
The Armer Farm next door has been blamed for the "disgusting" pollution.
"The stream runs out to the beach," Mr Phare said.
"That is my biggest concern."
Legally, dairy farmers dispose of effluent by applying it to their land, in such a manner that it does not run off into waterways.
Maketu Community Board deputy chairwoman Carol Pohepi said she often got watercress from the Phares and went there on Monday.
"The smell when I got out of my car was horrendous. I couldn't believe it," she said.
Environment Bay of Plenty water management group manager Eddie Grogan confirmed the council was investigating the complaint that was "serious and may result in legal action".
However, Mr Grogan refused to comment on the specific details on this incident "in order that we do not prejudice any future actions the council may need to take".
Any dumping or runoff of dairy farm effluent into waterways is considered illegal and a person can face a maximum penalty of $300,000 or a period of imprisonment of up to two years. For a company, fines can reach $600,000.
"This specific instance was advised due to public vigilance and highlights the need for people to promptly report their concerns to us via our pollution hotline," Mr Grogan said.
Treatment systems helped to break down dairy effluent into a form that could be beneficially reused when applied to pasture, but discharge to a waterway required substantial dilution to ensure that an adverse environmental effect did not occur, he said.
Farm owner Colin Armer said they were also conducting their own internal investigation after learning about the incident.
"We take these matters very, very seriously," Mr Armer said.
The Maketu farm has about 500 cows and has been leased by Armer Farms for 19 years.