River Pollution Worries Woolston Residents

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 18

River Pollution Worries Woolston Residents

“Grave concern” at the pollution of the Heathcote river by the industries in the Woolston area was expressed by the Woolston District Improvement Association to the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening. The association asked the

board for an estimated date for completion of trade-waste sewer, and asked for its plans for the discharge from the gasworks into the river. Mr P. J. McWilliam, the chief engineer, reported that the target date for completion of the Woolston tradewaste sewer had been fixed for mid-1968.

“The present discharge from the gasworks into the river contains a large volume of cooling water as well as trade waste,” he said. “Investigations are being made to determine the exact nature and volume of the trade waste. It seems likely that the trade waste itself. could be handled by existing sewers.

“After the coming into force of the trade waste bylaw the gasworks will be permitted to discharge clear water only to the river. However, there appears to be a possibility that improvement could be effected earlier, and an effort will be made to ensure this.” The board asked Mr MeWilliam for a report to the next meeting of the works committee on the gasworks discharge.