Help requested in pollution fight

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32539, 24 February 1971, Page 16

Help requested in pollution fight

One of the reasons for the reported cases of river pollution increasing in recent months was that members of the public were taking a greater active interest in all forms of pollution, said the chairman (Mr A. J. McTainsh) at the Christchurch Drainage Board meeting last evening.

“Twenty cases were reported in December and last month,” Mr McTainsh said. “The public is now taking steps to draw the board’s attention to any cases of pollution they observe in rivers and drains.

“I would like it known that the board is very appreciative of this cooperation by the public. The quicker the board’s officers have their attention drawn to cases of pollution the more chance there is of discovering the source and taking action,” he said.

"Very often, delay results in the source being untraced. The board is determined to reduce pollution of the river and streams to the absolute minimum and the continued support of the public is sought,” Mr McTainsh said. He said that the cooperation. of firms, and individuals, whose activities could result in cases of pollution was also sought. I “Although the majority of' users are conscious of " the problem and take steps to prevent pollution, it is essentia! that continual vigilance ; be exercised, as experience shows that many cases occur i through carelessness, or where normal standards are I relaxed without thought as’

, to the consequences,” he said. The board was informed by Shell Oil New Zealand, Ltd, ' that some steps had been . taken to tighten up its operi ating methods, but that the company considered that a , number of issues were involved which called for joint action by all members of the industry. “For this reason, the industry has now set up a special oil spills committee ; charged with the task of ■ formulating and implementing procedures that will re- ’ duce the risk of contaminai tion of the environment by i petroleum products,” the company’s letter said. It added that the committee’s work would have its effect not only in Christchurch but i throughout the country. It was reported that the ' board, after a major oil spill ' (into the Heathcote River on , August 28 and 29 last year,' had written to all oil companies setting out matters ' the industry should investi- i gate with a view to reducing the incidence of river pollution. The board resolved that ' the Shell Oil Company be ’ written to advising that the ;

board was pleased at the setting-up of the oil industry committee, and hoping that the work of the committee would become apparent at an early date by a reduction in the incidence of oil pollution.