HEALTH OFFICER SAYS STREAM NEAR MARTON IS AN “OPEN SEWER”

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1948, Page 4

HEALTH OFFICER SAYS STREAM NEAR MARTON IS AN “OPEN SEWER”

(S.R.) Marton, May 6. A further protest at the polluetion of the Tutaenui Stream, near Crofton, caused by effluent from two septic tanks, one serving the boroughs of Marton and the other the railway settlement at Marton Junction, was expressed by the Rangitikei County Council at its monthly meeting today. The Medical Officer of Health at Pa’merston North, Dr. T. C. Lonie, in a letter to the Marton Borough Council, a copy of which was before the County Council, described the stream in this locality as having become to all intents and purposes an open sewer. In the discussion which followed it was suggested that the Borough Council was waiting for Providence, in the form of rain, to rectify the trouble, but the ounty passed a resolution asking Dr. Lonie to again take this question up with the borough.

By a coincidence Dr. Lonie inspected the stream on April 1, the date of the last county meeting when the question was first discussed and a resolution carried asking the Marton Borough Council to remedy the nuisance. Subsequently, Dr. Lonie sent the following letter to the Marton Borough ■ Council and at the same time forwarded a copy to the county, where it was read in open meeting today:— DR. LONIE’S LETTER "In consequence of information received I inspected this stream on April 1 and I think you will agree that it has become to all intents and purposes an open sewer as a result of the passage into it of the effluents Irom the borough septic tank and the railway sewerage system. In the latter case it is obviously the duty oi the Borough Council to secure abatement of the nuisance by the Railways Department, and equally the Borough Council will require to abate the nuisance which arises from the borough septic tank. I shall be glad If you will advise me of what action your council proposes to take in the matter in order that the nuisance may be abated without delay.” The Borough Council, in reply to the county's original complaint, stated that it was common knowledge that the recent long period without appreciable rain—accepted as unprecedented—had imposed many serious difficulties regarding water supply, drainage, etc., that did not normally exist in the district.

“The Tutaenui Stream has been for many weeks a dry stone bed with a few water-holes,’’ the letter added. “It is correct to say that it is only because in showery weather the buildings, tar-sealed streets, etc., in the town collect water and discharge it quickly into the stream, plus discharge through septic tanks, etc., that there is any flow in the stream bed at Crofton or elsewhere. “The council had a complaint from a resident at Crofton apparently with a view of having a water service extended to his property from the borough mains. The council felt that this request might receive favourable consideration and approached the Railways Department, whose septic tank serving the station and settlement also discharges into the Tutaenui Stream, to join such undertaking. Unfortunately, the reply was not favourable. Inter alia, the reply said the department’s filter was operating satisfactorily with only a minimum of sme 1 emanating from it, a condition in w»j.rable from any such Installation. ihe council has discussed with the health authorities suggested remedial measures and same have already been taken.” NEED FOR RAIN The letter, written on April 26, added that the Tutaenui Stream bed and other areas in both country and town were in need oi a thorough wash from welcome rains.

The health inspector, Mr. J. V. Flowers (Marton), who was present at the meeting, said he had previously raised this question with Dr. Lonie, whose visit of inspection coincided with the county's April meeting. Mr. Flowers added that he had not yet received any communication Irom Dr. Lonie or the Borough Council. For that matter the latter body did not acknowledge his month.y reports, though the county always did. It was not surprising that the borough had not acknowledged his I'eport regarding the Tutaenui Stream because It was not favourable to them. There was no question that this pollution was taking place. Cattle drank water from pools in the bed of the stream above the septic tanks, but would not drink from poo s below them. Effluent from both septic tanks was causing pollution and was not receiving any further treatment that would purify it. Even when the stream was flowing in wet weather pollution still occurred. Any immediate cure seemed impossible. Efficient filter works wou.d cost not less than £5OOO and would take some time to instal.

Cr. A. S. Coleman asked if the borough septic tank was large enough to cope with the requirements of a town the size of Marton. Mr. Flowers replied that as a septic tank it was doing a good job, but the effluent was not being purified. “WHO MOVES NEXT?” The chairman, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple: Who takes the next move? Mr. Flowers: It looks as though they are waiting for the next move from Providence. The chairman: Last night’s rain? Mr. Flowers: The stream is not flowing yet. Il must overflow from the reservoir first and that takes a few days. It appeared, however, that there were no signs of the Borough Council abating the nuisance except waiting for Providence. Cr. Coleman said he did not know how people lived in the locality. He inspected the stream more than a month ago with the county engineer, Mr. H. Murray Reid, and he was there again last Saturday, when the position appeared to be much worse. “It is a disgusting sight,” Cr. Coleman added. “For the sake of our ratepayers we should again write to Dr. Lonie and ask him to take up this matter. There were two dead pigs in the watercourse and they were abso'utely rotten." The chairman' They did not come out of the tank! Mr. Flowers: Perhaps they tried to drink the water. Mr. Coleman: We don't want any trouble with a neighbouring local body, but something must he done in the'interests of our ratepayers. On the motion of Cr. Coleman, the council subsequently decided to again communicate with Dr. Lonie.