A Christchurch freight company has been fined $18,000 after pleading guilty to discharging a contaminant onto land which then entered the Heathcote River. This occurred in July 2008 and the case was heard in the Christchurch District Court earlier this year.

Mainstream Forwarders Limited admitted that a carton containing 20 litre pails of blue ink fell off a pallet being unloaded by an employee using a forklift. The carton split and rain caused the ink to flow into a nearby sump which was part of a stormwater system discharging into Curletts Drain and eventually into the Heathcote River. This action breached section 338(1)(a) and section 15(1)(b) of the Resource Management Act.

Judge Jane Borthwick noted that although absorbent material was used to soak up the spill, no immediate steps were taken by the company’s employees to block off the sump. Staff left the site at 2 pm on the day of the accident and it was the following day before a boom was placed around the sump by which time Environment Canterbury had received a number of complaints regarding a blue substance in the river.

Judge Borthwick noted that while this was not a particularly toxic contaminant with minimal effect on flora and fauna, the defendant failed to recognize the possibility that contaminants could escape into the sump. Mainstream Forwarders had not taken all reasonable steps to prevent this from happening; in particular, the company had not purchased a lid for the sump.

Judge Borthwick gave credit for an early guilty plea and the defendant’s remedial efforts which cost $4000. The Judge imposed a fine of $18,000, ninety per cent of which was paid to Environment Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury director regulation Kim Drummond said that the case sends another strong message as to the consequences of spills that affect local rivers.

“Companies and their employees need to be aware that there can be serious repercussions when contaminants are discharged into our waterways, albeit through accidents.

“Preventative measures need to be in place at all times and this is a reminder that Environment Canterbury is serious about improving the health of our rivers and waterways,” says Mr Drummond.

The company has appealed the conviction and sentence to the High Court.

For further information: Kim Drummond, Director Regulation, 03 372 7232, 027 497 8366.

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