”There is also a groundwater spring in the middle of the slipped face, along with surface water that flows over it during rain. A number of teams within the council are currently working together to quantify the effects of the sediment discharge and consider options for run-off control”, she says.
Richards says while there are construction sites further downstream in the Tauriko area, the compliance team has confirmed the river is discoloured before it reaches the earthworks areas. The earthworks sites are closely monitored, with their own dedicated environmental teams on-site and council compliance officers inspecting regularly.
“More recently, the Little Waihī Estuary has also been discoloured. Investigations throughout the catchment reveal the Pokopoko Stream and the Pongakawa Stream were running brown and turbid due to multiple slips and erosion in the upper reaches.”
“We would like to thank our communities for reaching out to us to report their concerns about damage to the environment. Sediment in streams and estuaries does have a negative effect on the ecosystems, so it is important that we hear about it and are able to track it back to the source. If the team finds non-compliant activities taking place in the catchments, this will be further investigated and enforcement action considered.”
To call the 24/7 pollution hotline, phone 0800 884 883.