Water runs foul

Photo: LUKE PARKER

GRIM SITUATION: Deputy mayor Penny Hulse alongside Henderson Creek.

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Filthy waterways out west could cost up to $300 million to clean over the next three decades.

But the job needs to be done to save the Wai-temata Harbour from further pollution.

Results of a study carried out by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research show high levels of heavy metals including copper, zinc and lead in tributaries like Henderson Creek.

Sediment deposits are also an issue and all pollutants inevitably end up in the Wai-temata.

Waitakere City Council spokesman Tony Miguel says the situation has been worsening over the past 10 years.

"Flooding, sewer overflows, and the level of pollutants in streams and harbours have
been steadily increasing as land is developed.

"Aucklanders enjoy swimming, fishing and boating in and on the Waitemata while New Zealand trades on its clean green image.

"The deterioration of the water quality coming from this catch-ment will have a serious impact on fish, shellfish and invertebrates in
the streams and harbour. It will also have negative consequences economically and socially."

The council has earmarked $850,000 in this year’s budget to come up with a catchment management plan.

But the actual cost of the clean-up will fall on the Auckland super-city council once it
is elected later this year.

Deputy mayor Penny Hulse says people need to wake up to the problem.

"It will be the new council’s responsibility to pay for the clean-up," she says.

"And I suppose it will have to be paid for partly by the ratepayer and the government.

"But if the councils of the future don’t fix it there will be grave consequences for the Wai-temata.

"This is a major issue for the region. We can’t keep dumping the same stuff in the harbour."

Ms Hulse says the clean-up bill for Wai-takere’s waterways will be huge.

"It could be between $200 and $300 million over the next 20 to 30 years."

The estimate includes stormwater treatment costs and restoration of water catchment areas.

- © Fairfax NZ News