Chemical poisons leak into stream

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 3

Chemical poisons leak into stream

PA Whangarei Three poisonous chemicals leaked into a Hokianga stream when a pipe being used to load a weed-spray-ing helicopter burst, it was disclosed yesterday. The spillage of 2,4-D, 2,4, 5-T and Paraquat on December 27 later came to light when an Otaua family, using the creek water to top up a home rainwater tank, noticed a “foreign taste.” N.Z. Forest Products, Ltd, for whom the helicopter was contract spraying, cleaned out the family’s water tank and refilled it.

The Hokianga County Council took water samples and is awaiting test results. The spillage occurred on a helicopter pad on the banks of a stream, said N.Z. Forest Products’ public relations officer, Mr Sheldon Brown. He said a contractor was spraying land to prepare it for forest planting for the company. A pipe had burst and “less than several gallons” was lost. The chairman of the County Council, Mr John Klaricich, said he believed four or five litres of solution

could have entered the creek and there could also have been spray drift into the creek.

Mr Brown said the company would make sure any helicopter pads to be built near waterways for spraying would slope away in case of an accident. A pit would also be dug to collect any possible spillage, he said.

The county clerk, Mr John Carter, said he had not heard of anyone suffering any ill-effects because of the spillage. Mr Klaricich said some Otaua residents had called for compensation for damage to vegetable garden crops from spray-drift during the aerial spraying. He said that at a meeting with company representatives on Tuesday, local residents had called for the company to show a more responsible attitude.

The company representatives were negotiating the compensation claims and had agreed to consult with residents on future activities.