Two sites in Northland and Manawatū are now safer for the community after projects to clean up pollution.
Provision of a new water supply for the Ōhakea community in Manawatū is underway, after concerns about the effects of a type of firefighting foam used at the Ōhakea airforce base. Photo: 123RF
Environment Minister David Parker welcomed the removal of hazardous waste from the Sustainable Solvents Ltd site in Ruakākā, Northland, today.
But he said it was regrettable that central and local government had to bear the cost of the clean-up, as the limitation period had passed.
"This project involved the safe removal and disposal of all the hazardous waste from the site and the cleaning of the site infrastructure," Parker said in a statement.
Parker said the limitation period on lodging proceedings under the Resource Management Act (RMA) had now been extended from six months to 12 months, with further extensions intended in the new Natural and Built Environments Act.
The estimated tonnages and volumes of solvents and wastes removed and disposed of from the site were:
- 490,000 litres of solvents and solvent contaminated water
- 2,950,000 litres of contaminated bund water
- 300 tonnes of solvent sludge
- 75 tonnes of general non-hazardous waste
- 4300 containers and drums
The project was completed within the $3 million budget and a final report detailing disposal receipts and destruction certificates to the Whangārei District Council is due to be completed in March 2022.
Parker also welcomed progress on a new water supply for the Ōhakea community in Manawatū, after concerns about the effects of a type of firefighting foam used at the Ōhakea airforce base.
The one-million-litre water reservoir is nearing completion, with handover due on 10 January 2022.
The design for the water treatment plant is completed and the water scheme will be operational from March 2022.
"The government is contributing $10.88 million to this project, with extra funding coming from Manawatū District Council. This will provide the community with safe drinking water," Parker said.
Both initiatives are being funded through the Ministry for the Environment's (MFE) Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund.
"Remediation and clean-up of contaminated land are top priorities, especially when contaminants are close to buildings, water and the community, Parker said.
"Progress at these two sites is helping take care of the environment and the well-being of the community."