Media release

Date: 3 October 2013

Diesel spill at Turoa Ski field in Tongariro National Park

Horizons Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and Ruapehu District Council have been made aware of a diesel spill from a tank at the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) Turoa ski field base in Tongariro National Park.

An unknown quantity of diesel has leached into the Makotuku stream, which is the primary tributary to the Raetihi town water supply.

At this stage the exact extent of the spill is unknown, and parties are working together with RAL to find out more about the full nature of the event. The Department of Conservation is also working closely with Iwi groups who have an affiliation with southern Ruapehu.

Collectively these agencies are acting on the understanding the spill is linked to the closure of the Raetihi town water supply on Wednesday. Ruapehu District Council has responsibility for the water supply, and has undertaken testing to determine the cause of the contamination.

Expert advice has been sought on how to decontaminate the Raetihi reticulated water supply system. Indications are that a period of more than ten days will be required.

Residents of Raetihi are being provided fresh water from tankers situated at the Four Square store at Seddon Street, and are advised to visit http://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/Site/default.aspx for more information.

All consent holders who take water from the Makotuku Stream have been notified by Horizons Regional Council. A response team has also been mobilised by Horizons, and will manage the immediate mitigation and clean-up.

Any impact on native flora and fauna is unknown at this point, and the Department of Conservation has teams on the ground surveying for any impacts on Whio and other wildlife. Potential impacts are not likely to be known for several days when more information about the scale of the spill is available.

Updates will be provided as these become available.

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