STUDY OF RIVER POLLUTION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28001, 22 June 1956, Page 9

STUDY OF RIVER POLLUTION

HEALTH SURVEY OF WAIMAKARIRI

COLLABORATION AMONG THREE DEPARTMENTS

Inspectors of the Health Department, using a North Canterbury Catchment Board boat, are taking samples of water from various parts of the Waimakariri river to check the degree of pollution. From the samples, bacteriological content and other indications of industrial or farmyard pollution will be investigated. The task was begun some weeks ago, and will continue for several more weeks. When the investigation has been completed, a report will be sent to the New Zealand W T ater Pollution Council in Wellington. The senior inspector of health in Christchurch (Mr W. F. de Roo) said yesterday that the Health Department, the Ministry of Works, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research were associated in the work. The health inspectors took samples from various effluents and streams in a survey of discharge points; the Ministry of Works measured flow and discharge of sewage; and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research did the laboratory work. The health inspectors working on the job are Messrs P. G. Brown and R. L. Green. They are accompanied by an American aquatic biologist, Mr A. Hirsch, who is visiting New Zealand on a Fulbright grant, and who is interested in the plant and animal life in the river. The inspectors will survey the whole catchment area feeding the part of tne Waimakariri which is subject to poU lution. Pollution is practically limitea to the part of the river below the Main North road bridge. They are finding ■ sharp changes in water fauna and flora ’ at points of pollution. On Tuesday, the party covered the 1 south branch between the Groynes and 1 the Dicks road bridge, on Coutts Island. , Yesterday thev worked on the section ! down to’White’s bridge, and they expect to be on the Cam river next week.