• Discharge warning lifted: Initial test results rule out contamination of Napier's inner harbour

Discharge warning lifted: Initial test results rule out contamination of Napier's inner harbour

Interim test results conducted by Napier City Council suggest Pandora Pond and the inner harbour are clear of contaminants after a discharge from some manholes was reported on Tuesday.

A Napier City Council spokeswoman confirmed the negative result this afternoon.

On Tuesday, the council advised the community to avoid contact with the water in the inner harbour until further notice "to be on the safe side" after a staff member driving past the corner of West Quay and Pandora Road noticed a discharge from some manholes in the vicinity. 

The discharge, which was reported shortly after 11am that day had run into the roadway, and into the stormwater network. However, it was unclear at the time whether the discharge had reached the inner harbour. 

The discharge, which was "relatively minor", appeared to have been caused by a blockage in the wastewater network, which was cleared shortly afterwards by staff, council said at the time. 

Samples were taken from the discharge and the stormwater network pipe which discharges into the harbour. 

"The advisory notice issued to enable proactive communications to the public about this incident was well received and we are glad that this event did not cause pollution to the Inner Harbour," the spokeswoman said today.

"Investigations continue to assess the cause and we are speaking with dischargers to the system to ensure what they are placing into the Council wastewater system meets regulations." 

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Team Leader Compliance - Urban and Industrial Jack Blunden said they are waiting for the incident report and results from samples collected from the inner harbour by NCC. 

"Once we have received this we will determine whether any further action is required."

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council officers have been to the incident location yesterday, and again today and there was no evidence of further blockages/discharges from the wastewater network, he said.

 

 

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