Farm prosecuted over effluent discharge

A Wairarapa landowner and farm manager are being prosecuted for polluting a stream with dairy effluent.

Farm owner Selwyn McLachlan and manager Matthew Honeysett allowed dairy effluent to enter a tributary of Ruamahanga River in Masterton on October 23 last year, Greater Wellington environmental regulation manager Al Cross said.

The effluent was discharged from a travelling irrigator located 10m from the stream and caused ponding and run off, he said.

"An analysis of stream samples confirmed the discharge resulted in a considerable deterioration in downstream water quality, with the potential to adversely affect stream plants and animals near the discharge and increase nutrient levels downstream," he said.

Mr McLachlan had been visited by compliance officers on three previous occasions.

No date had yet been set for a district court hearing.

- NZPA