Kapuni Farms May Not Suffer

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 8

Kapuni Farms May Not Suffer

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, August 20. Farms which were in the path of a carbonate discharge from the Kapuni natural gas treatment plant may gain some benefit from the incident.

A farm advisory officer in Hawera, Mr G. Miller, said that the browning effect the potassium carbonate discharge had had on pastures near the natural gas plant was less serious than it looked. When it came into contact with soil, the potassium carbonate had the same effect as potash. It would probably do the farmland more good than harm, he said. Mr Miller said it was doubtful if the chemical discharge would upset the balance of nutrients in the farmland because it was spread very finely over most areas

He also said that there was no possibility of the chemical’s affecting animal health or of its contaminating meat or milk.

Another report was received today of damage near the natural gas plant. The chief engineer of the Taranaki Electric Power Board (Mr W. M. E. Mirams) said that last Friday’s “foaming” had caused pitting of electrical supply wires along Palmdr Road, which runs alongside the Kapuni installation.

“We found there were still quantities of the chemical on the underside of the wires near the plant, and that it had already caused pitting of the conductors,” Mr Mirams said.

“Although the conductors have not been damaged to the extent that they would require immediate replacement, a lot will depend on how much rain we get during the next month and whether there are any more discharges of this chemical," he said. Mr Mirams said the board

i would reserve the right to make a claim against the ; Natural Gas Corporation if it • was found necessary to rei place the conductors. ; A compensation claim will ; be made against the corporation by one of the farmers t most seriously hit by Friday’s - chemical discharge. He t wants the corporation to pay > for the repainting of his I house.