Whitebaiters warned of contaminated rivers

Waimakariri River. Photo / Pam Johnson

Christchurch whitebaiters are being warned not to set nets along the Waimakariri or Kaiapoi rivers, into which raw sewage has been discharged since the earthquake.

Waimakariri District Council civil defence controller Nick Harrison said he was concerned people did not appreciate the potential risks in continuing to use the rivers, for whitebaiting in particular.

"We know some baiters are still casting nets into contaminated waterways in the district despite health warnings. Clearly this is unwise when untreated sewage is being spilled into waterways," he said.

The council had to start discharging sewage into the rivers after a major system failure resulting from the earthquake that rocked the area on September 4.

The Canterbury District Health Board is also warning people not to collect water, fish or shellfish and to avoid physical contact with affected waterways.

The whitebaiting season began 20 days before the earthquake and finishes on November 30.

- NZPA