The subsequent investigation confirmed that pumping had been deliberately and routinely occurring over the previous 11 years.
An abatement notice was served on Mr Darrah to cease the unlawful discharges.
Despite this he continued with the practice.
On one occasion the pumping duration was found to be approximately nine hours resulting in over 300,000 litres of effluent being discharged into the farm drain.
The drain flows a short distance before entering the Boom Stream, which flows about 1.5km to the Tairua River.
"In some respects this is about as bad as it gets," said council investigations manager Patrick Lynch.
"Often we find discharges that result from carelessness, or even negligence, but someone deliberately polluting is rare, thankfully.
"However, the fact the discharges continued after the farmer was formally directed to cease is quite staggering.
"This sort of activity not only has a significant impact on the immediate environment but also causes unfair damage to the reputation of the wider farming community."
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