NZ By the Numbers – Dairy Effluent Prosecution
Greater Wellington is prosecuting Wairarapa landowner Selwyn McLachlan and farm manager Matthew Honeysett following an incident in which dairy effluent entered a tributary of the Ruamahanga River behind Gordon Street, Masterton.
The incident involved the discharge of effluent from a travelling irrigator, which was discharging to land only 10 metres from the stream in a way that caused ponding and subsequent run off into the stream. It occurred on 23 October 2008.
The stream was heavily discoloured at the area where the effluent entered the stream. 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.
“This incident was foreseeable and preventable,” Greater Wellington Environmental Regulation Manager Al Cross said.
“Greater Wellington compliance officers had previously visited the McLachlans on three occasions and asked them to address the problem of effluent ponding.
“Mr McLachlan failed to implement adequate procedures for managing dairy effluent to comply with his consent or act on the advice given on compliance visits or on the correspondence of compliance officers.”
A timeframe for the court hearing will be determined by the District Court.
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