My own experience is that several times in the summer period each year the beach and shore at South Cove is polluted with brown water, toilet paper, particulate and floating faeces. Children and families swim in that water.
Tania Bellugue of Bon Accord noted:
“Boats anchoring close to shore in Kawau Island Harbours are discharging Sewerage illegally. This causes greasy rafts of yellow foam, loo paper and food waste. It does not wash away with the tide and the fatty slick seems to coat the beach and reappear tide after tide. I got
a nose infection over Xmas and an eye infection now. Our neighbour got an ear infection at Xmas. We don’t swim when it’s obviously bad.”
I’m approaching you to highlight the issue. I would like to have the offenders prosecuted, but no one wants to take responsibility. My next step is to contact local media.
Could l ask you to remind your readership of their obligations? The Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) specify where sewage can be discharged in order to control pollution of the sea from sewage.
Sewage that is discharged untreated is a greater threat to the marine environment and its users than treated wastewater. Therefore, the Regulations specify more restrictions to control the discharge of untreated sewage.
Discharges must not occur:
• Within 500 metres from land (mean high water spring)
• In water less than 5 metres deep
• Within 500 metres from a marine farm or mataitai
(traditional food collection) reserve
• Within 200 metres of a marine reserve
• Within areas prohibited under rules in a Regional Coastal Plan.
Rob Sutherland, by email.
