BOROUGH SEWAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 63, 1 March 1929, Page 8

BOROUGH SEWAGE

POLLUTION OF NGARURORO HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADAMANT. . SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM ADVOCATED. “The pollution of the Ngarui-oro river from just above the Pakowhai bridge to the mouth of the river by crude sewage emptying into this watercourse, and the provision of a scheme to deal with sewage at the outlet, have been under consideration for at least the 'last five years,” stated the Mayor (Mr G. A. Maddison) at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council last evening, when he presented a lengthy report on the various aspects of the borough sewage scheme. “In the meantime any definite action by the Council has been avoided, for the reason that the policy of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board for the future control or diversion of the Ngaruroro had not been finalised. It was considered that the alteration of the river's course might materially affect any scheme that the Council might instal in the meantime. Further, _it was contended that the emptying of the sewage at Pakowhai was in no way a menace to the health of the people.” The Mayor went on to mention that the borough sewage empties into a small creek about one chain from the point of junction of this creek with the main river, and about a quarter of a mile south of the bridge. Several years ago, owing to the siltation of the bed of this creek, a new outlet was made direct into the river. This had since ceased to function on account of the outlet being blocked by shingle and sand, and was now many feet below the river bend. Fortunately, the old outlet again operated when this occurred.

DEPARTMENT’S VIEWS. In June, 1927. the Department of Health sent Dr .R. A. Shore to investigate the sources and extent of the pollution of the river. His report was forwarded to the Council by the* Deputy-Director of Health, Mr M. H. Watts, who in an accompanying letter stated :-F‘l need hardly advise you that the admission of crude sewage from your borough to the Ngaruroro river is contributing in a high degree to the pollution of the river. The pollution from other sources is considerably less in comparison. I must therefore ask you to take the steps necessary to prevent this pollution. The other local authority and industrial concerns contributing to the pollution will also be instructed to take the neeessary remedial measures, but naturally subsequent to decided action on the part of your,borough.” INVESTIGATORS REPORT. In course of his report. Dr. Shore stated that the Hastings outfall sower opens direct into the Te Raupere drgin a few yards from its junction with the Ngarururo river. Tho amount of sewage discharged here would be not less than 600,000 gallons per day. He was Basing this calculation on the estimate per head furnished to the Hastings Borough Council by the engineer in 1907. Even at the time of his visit, although the sewer outfall was under water, solid matter and paper could be seen coming to the surface from the sewer mouth. It would' therefore be seen that with trade effluent and sewage the Ngaruroro river was receiving per day not less than 2,500,000 gallons. This amount was discharging into the river in the summer months, when the river flow is at its lowest. At the time of his visit, however, there was a fresh in the river, so that no definite evidence of pollution was apparent, but from statements made by various residents and the chemical analysis of the water taken at various parts of the river, and the estimate furnished by Mr Baker, there could be no doubt that the amount of pollution occurring in the summer time was far above the English allowable standard. He recommended that the Hastings Borough Council be required to instal suitable works for the treatment and 'further purification of their sewage, the minimum requirements to be seredning and the provision of a sufficiently large sedimentation tank. Owing to the amount of low-lying ground in the immediate vicinity of the outfall sewer this would probably involve a considerable amount of expense, but in spite of that he still considered the installation of such works was necessary.

In the event of the river course being diverted, the Hastings Borough will be faced with one or two alternatives. Either they would have to institute in addition to the sedimentation tanks, filter beds and further treat their sewage on land, or pipe the effluent from the sedimentation tank to the new proposed course of tho Ngaruroro river, a distance of about two miles. It would therefore be seen that the present recommendations for treatment of the Hastings sewage were equally applicable to the present conditions and also the conditions that would arise if the proposed diversion was adopted and completed. SEPTIC TANK DESIRABLE. “Recently I discussed with Mr Watt the report of Dr. Shore, and also what system the Council would need to instal to meet the requirements of his Department,” stated the Mayor. “He is adamant on the point that the borough must proceed with the work, and that a septic tank system would lie efficient and adequate. The Council appeared to be confronted with' the necessity and heavy capital cost and maintenance. of purchasing about 100 acres of Pakowhai as a sewage farm and for the treatment of its sewage, and so I am glad that this expenditure has been avoided. “It is significant, however, that in Afarch 188.5, the late Mr James Rochfort, C.E.. in reporting on a proposed system of sewage, recommended the purchase of 100 acres in the vicinity of the Tomoana works as a site for a future sewage farm. He recognised that eventually the disposal of crude sewage directly into the river would have to cease, and had his advice been followed, there is no doubt that the borough to-day would have had a most valuable property and asset.” QUESTION OF INITIAL EXPENSE. Mr Maddison went on to say that in reply to his queries, Air Watt had (Continued on foot next column).

stated that any change in the river’s course or any work by the Rivers Board which would again make the Ngaruroro tidal up to the sewage outlet, would not solve the Council’s present difficulty. That no town so large as Hastings had been permitted to discharge its entirely untreated sewage into a river. He further asserted that it would be preferable in every way to submit the proposals to a poll of the ratepayers, but should they reject the Council’s proposals the Board of Health had power, should it deem such action necessary, to require the Council to instal works which will satisfactorily treat the sewage, in which event the Council still nas the right of appeal as set out in the Health Act. Tlie policy of the Board of Health was to encourage the local authorities to consult their own ratepayers and employ their own engineer and staff. “To this I replied” that I did not agree with his contention. It is quite possible that the proposals would be turned down by the ratepayers. and further, it appears to me that it would be only unnecessary expense,” continued tlie Mayor. “If the works are absolutely required in the interests of the health of the people, then it should be mandatory on our Council to proceed with such works, and the Council should not be put to the expense of placing the matter before the ratepayers. “The position for the Council to consider is ; (a) Are the circumstances such that it could successfully appeal to the Board of Health against the decision of the Health Department; lb) If not, then what action shall the Council take in proceeding with a scheme for the disposal or crude sewage ? NO ACTION TO B 7 TAKEN. “Having fully considered the whole circumstances, I recommend that no action be taken meantime, so as to allow the Health Department to report the matter to bile Board of Health, who will if it thinks fit, serve notice on the Borough Council to proceed with the installation of a septic tank system, etc. This will at least eliminate the cost of a loan poll.” Cr. T. Donovan stated that he did not think the alterations to the Ngaruroro river by the Rivers Board would affect the position of the 'Council. “We have nothing to gain by waiting,” he added. “So far as an appeal to the Health Board Board, I do not think we have a leg to stand upon,” commented the Mayor. It was decided to adopt the Mayor’s suggestion, that no action be taken in the meantime.