Discharge breach at Fonterra Brands

Discharge breach at Fonterra Brands

Some partially treated waste water may have found its way into the Mazengarb Drain because of a process failure at Fonterra Brands (Kapiti Cheese).

Residents are being warned to avoid the drain as a precaution until water quality testing is completed.

“We are pretty sure there has been no contamination as the waste water had been through most of our treatment plant processes including ultraviolet disinfection, before leaving the plant, but we would prefer to err on the side of caution,” said Council’s Infrastructure Group Manager Sean Mallon.

“We understand there was an intermittent fault with some switching gear at the Fonterra site which led to whey finding its way into the waste system. This neutralised the positive bugs in our Waste Water Treatment Plant at Fytfield Place which led to around 500 cubic meters of partially treated waste water discharging into the drain.

“Staff at the plant took immediate remedial action. We have also informed Greater Wellington Regional Council, and we are monitoring the water quality in the drain as a precaution.”

Mr Mallon said it would take 24 hours before the results of the tests would be known.

“In the meantime we are urging people to stay away from the drain.” He said it was a compliance breach and Council would be looking to recover costs.

ENDS

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