Heathcote River Pollution

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 12

Heathcote River Pollution

Sir, —May I ask, as I have in the past, when are the authorities going to deal with the continual fouling of the Heathcote river? On Thursday afternoon a filthy mess was being poured in by one of the factories not far from Connal street. The river is ruined as a beautiful stream, as I knew it 50 years ago, but let these cursed modern industries take their filth elsewhere.—Yours, etc., WILLIAM GRAHAM. December 26, 1965.

[The Chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Board Mr F. R. Price) replies:— “The board is engaged now on the detailed design of a sewerage scheme for the Woolston industrial area which is aimed to eliminate most of the pollution at present occurring in the Heathcote river. This scheme, which is known as the Woolston trade waste sewer, includes a large pumping station to be built in Dyers road, and other ancillary works. The board already has approval to raise loan money for this work and tenders will be called for the first contracts during the first half of this year. The programmed target date for completion is mid-1968, but this date could be affected by the availability of labour and loan finance. The board, too. has been concerned at the problem in this area and as the above information shows, is taking positive steps to remedy the matter. The board's concentration on domestic sewers in past years has prevented earlier handling of this problem. The co-operation of industries in the area is being sought in an endeavour to minimise pollution in the interval.”]