North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Eateries’ waste goes into drains
Restaurants along Auckland’s Takapuna Beach foreshore have been illegally discharging oily waste into the stormwater system, which drains onto the beach.
The most recent incident occurred on March 6, when an oily scum was reported to Auckland Council near The Strand entrance to the beach.
Compliance manager for resource consents Steve Pearce said a crew was sent to clean the site.
‘‘Auckland Council staff visited the beach shortly after receiving the complaint and tested the water, and confirmed that the substance was likely to be grease or cooking oil,’’ Pearce said.
‘‘None of the substance went further than the small pond that had formed at the stormwater outlet.
‘‘We were unable to determine the original source of the substance, as it was a small amount and the discharge had stopped.’’
Pearce said fines have been issued to Takapuna food premises in the past when they could be identified as the source of waste released into the stormwater system.
One of the Takapuna residents who reported the most recent event, John Potter, said it wasn’t the first time.
‘‘Complaints over the past two years about this have drawn a half-hearted response from the council, who have claimed they can’t find where it is coming from,’’ Potter said.
‘‘We know it’s there, even if the sand allows it all to drain away quickly, as dogs are very interested in the water and sand.
Forest & Bird North Shore chairman Richard Hursthouse said a ‘‘constant and recurring’’ educational campaign from council to inform residents and businesses that stormwater drains lead onto beaches was needed.
‘‘I think most people care, most people don’t want oil in the creek or on the beach,’’ Hursthouse said. ‘‘I think people are not aware, they pour it down the drain and they don’t know where it goes.
Auckland Council’s Steve Pearce said inspections with the environmental health team have been conducted with food premise owners in Takapuna to better educate them on the environmental harm.