Sewage sludge in river could cost ratepayers

City council admits ‘significant’ spill that may lead to a fine of up to $600,000. Chris Gardner and Daniel Adams report

Hamilton City Council has pleaded guilty to a pollution charge that could end up costing ratepayers hundreds of thousands.

It admitted allowing tens of thousands of litres of partially treated human sewage into the Waikato River, in what was described as a ‘‘significant’’ spill, in July last year.

The cash-strapped council, and thus the Hamilton ratepayer, could be landed with a fine of up $600,000 for the offence after a charge laid by the Waikato Regional Council in January.

The guilty plea followed the withdrawal of a similar Resource Management Act charge against council staff member Kevin Burgess. Had he been convicted, he could have faced a fine of up to $300,000 and two years in prison.

The regional council said, in January, it was prosecuting the city council and staff after 90,000 litres of sewage sludge entered the river from the Pukete wastewater treatment plant.

An investigation revealed another 22,000 litres of sludge had been spilled, but had not reached the river. Mechanical failure, alarm settings, an overflow pipe blockage of rags, hair and other materials were blamed along with ‘‘clarity and response to standard operating procedure’’.

The case was adjourned until July 23 for sentencing.

Hamilton City Council infrastructure general manager Chris Allen said said the council’s guilty plea recognised there was a discharge from the plant.

‘‘A small amount of sludge did reach the Waikato River, for which we take full responsibility. We regret this spill as we have a great respect for the Waikato River, and understand its significance and importance to the region and its people.

‘‘As this matter is currently still before the court we are not in a position to make any further comment at this time.’’

Meanwhile, Hamilton homeowners wanting clarity over council claims that their properties could flood in a major storm are unlikely to get further information for several weeks yet.

Senior staff were rapped over the knuckles earlier this month after 28,000 property owners were told in late April that their properties were at some risk of flooding.

A council mass mailout failed to specify the risk level but warned property owners the council would soon begin tagging the flood risk on affected properties’ LIM reports.

Councillors and Mayor Julie Hardaker claimed they had not seen the letter’s content.

Vague online information exacerbated the poor communication, which ended with councillors ordering a halt until staff could define significantly affected properties.

General manager city planning Brian Croad and city planning manager Robert Hodges yesterday said ‘‘refinement’’ of the potentially affected properties was unfinished. They are expecting to report back to council by next month.