Pollution blitz

Pollution police will be visiting businesses in the Henderson Valley over the next month.

The Auckland Regional Council wants to stop industrial and commercial premise owners polluting streams near their properties.

Senior officer Matthew Harrex says people often don’t realise they’re doing it.

"Even small quantities of a pollutant or one accidental discharge can significantly affect the quality of a stream," Mr Harrex says.

"Fish, insects and plant life can be killed and habitats destroyed, and in some cases, polluted streams may take up to 10 years to fully recover."

"The regional council’s pollution response officers will be letting owners know what they should and shouldn’t do."

Mr Harrex says people need to be informed or they could find themselves in trouble.

Polluters can be fined of up to $200,000 and spend up to two years in prison.

Call 377-3107 to report water pollution to the regional council’s 24-hour hotline.

- © Fairfax NZ News