QUALITY OF WATER AT OKEHU

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 51, 2 March 1939, Page 8

QUALITY OF WATER AT OKEHU

WANGANUI CITY SUPPLY HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT MAHER FOR SERIOUS THOUGHT “NOT DEEMED URGENT,” SAYS DR. RITCHIE The full text of the report made by the District Medical Officer of Health, Dr. D. Cook. Palmerston North, on the quality of water obtained for Wanganui’s municipal supply from the Okehu dam. to pollution of the water by live stock grazing on the reserve. says that he understands that certain difficulties are entailed hy his proposals, but, despite them, the City Council should give them serious thought. Dr. Cook’s report, dated December 30, staled:—“The city waler supply was inspected by me on December 1 and appropriate samples were taken for analysis. The bacteriological report reveals that the water of the composite springs is practically sterile and that it forms an ideal water supply. “The quality of the upland supply is not, however, satisfactory, due to the grazing of stock on some 600 acres of the Okehu watershed,” continued the report. “The water from this source is highly polluted by animal manure and in my opinion steps should he taken by the council to rectify this. My own opinion coincides with that of your sanitary inspector, that the watershed should be sacred and free of all possible contamination, and I would therefore advise the council io allow the natural reafforestation of the Okehu watershed by removing all stock. This would not only prevent pollution, but would in time improve the dry weather flow of this spring. “I understand the difficulties entailed in my proposals, but think that despite them, the council should give them serious thought. I suggest that some time in the near future the water committee should inspect the watershed, accompanied by myself and its oun officials with the object of seeing the position for themselves.” Council** Memorandum.” A memorandum dated February 18 Io Dr. Cook, after reviewing the steps taken subsequent to the inspection at Okehu on February 14, stated that consequent upon the growth of fern on the property and the danger arising from fire the then council thought it advisable to lease portion of the land. Tenders were called for the leasing of portion of the land in question and on December 10, 1932. was leased to Mr. Joseph Fry Knight, of Palmerston North for a term of 10 years from April 1, 1932. The object of the council in granting the lease was chiefly to have the fern kept down and the danger of fire eliminated, and one of the express covenants that Mr. Knight entered into was that the lessee should at all times stock the lands leased to their full capacity, graze the land, and keep it clean and in condition. “We gather that you have ex pressed the view that there is no immediate danger arising from the condition of things as at present existing, but that the position should in some way be rectified,” stated the council’s memorandum. “You will readily understand the difficulty the council is now' in in taking action to prevent the pollution of the stream. In granting the lease tn Mr. Knight the council made him expressly covenant to stock the land, and the fact as we now understand it that the pollution, if any, is arising from the observance by Mr. Knight of the express covenant he was asked to enter into. It seems to us that if any action is to be taken in the matter it will be infinitely preferable that such action should be taken by the Health Department. Provisions of the Health Act.

“We shall be glad to hear from you whether you propose forwarding to the council a further report on the question in view of the fact that you made a further inspection on and whether the Health Department, if it considers it necessary and in the interests of public health, will take proceedings, or whether you propose to leave the whole matter to the council? We draw your attention to Section 61 of the Health Act. 1920, which renders a person liable on summary conviction to a fine of £lOO who directly or indirectly pollutes so as to he dangerous to health or offensive or unfit for domestic use. the water supply of the district nf any local authority or any portion of that supply. We also draw your attention tn Section 63 which prohibits a local authority from supplying water from a polluted source. Council Ask* Questions. “We shall be glad, therefore, to know from you: What the result of the inspection you made on January 12 is; (2> Whether the pollution referred to in your letter of December 30, 1938, still continues; <3» Whether, if there is pollution in the area, it is greater or smaller than when you reported; <4» Whether the use of the stream is dangerous to health or offensive or unfit for domestic use and if so. whether you propose giving the council notice under Section 63; (5> Whether, if action has to be taken, the Health Department will take such action. If it became essential that action had to be taken it would place lhe council in a most awkward position to have to take the action in view of the lease it gave.” After the legal position had been examined the council decided to get in touch with the Health Department in Wellington, place the full position regarding the lease before him. and ask for a clarification of the issue. It then received the following telegram from Mr. T. R. Ritchie. Director of the Division of Public Hygiene: ••Memorandom of lease received. If suitable I will visit Wanganui on Tuesday. March 7, with Dr. Cook. Meanwhile action is not deemed urgent.”