River pollution sources traced

Press, 18 February 1989, Page 8

River pollution sources traced

By SARONA lOSEFA Tracking the source of kerosene spilled into the Avon River yesterday led Christchurch Drainage Board wastes inspectors to two other offenders. The board’s chief engineer, Mr Peter Hunt, said his staff were kept busy tracing the sources of kerosene, paint and detergent that had reached the river.

The smell of kerosene led to the King Edward Barracks where weapons, recently used on Army manoeuvres, had been washed with the liquid. Mr Hunt said barracks staff explained a kerosene drum was accidently tipped into the drainage system. Drainage Board staff also tracked white paint

back to Ministry of Transport premises where builders had unknowingly washed paint brushes near a channel leading to the river. “Side channels are normally connected to the sewer, but this one leads into the river, “The M.O.T. doesn’t actually use it any more for this reason, but the contractor was not to know this,” Mr Hunt said.

A “certain detergent” was also traced to the Rail Corp bus depot in Victoria Street. Prosecutions were unlikely, Mr Hunt said. ’ “If there were any blatant episodes, we would have no hesitation in taking it to court, but these cases seemed unintentional,” he said.