Distribution of pollution complaints

Greater Wellington - The Regional Council provides a 24-hour pollution response service which responds to complaints about environmental pollution. The bad news is that the number of complaints is increasing; the good news is that this may mean that people are becoming more environmentally aware.

A total of 1702 complaints about pollution incidents were received by Greater Wellington during 2001/02 compared 1594 in the previous year. This is a 7 percent increase.

The map shows that, not surprisingly, most complaints came from the heavily populated areas of the Region. Over 68 percent originated in Wellington City with only 10 percent coming from the Wairarapa. For the remainder of the Region, 10.3 percent came from Lower Hutt, 5.1 percent from Porirua, 3.1 percent from Upper Hutt and 2.8 percent from Kapiti.

The pie graph right gives a breakdown of types of pollution incidents. Sixty nine percent of complaints received were about odour.

	Types of pollution complaints received 2001/02

The following significant incidents occurred during 2001/02:

Allied Concrete, a concrete batching plant, discharged alkaline wastewater to the Carey's Gully Stream on 19 February 2002, raising pH and sediment levels. Greater Wellington is prosecuting Allied Concrete.

Non-cleanfill material was illegally dumped on Graham Alexander's property in the Mangaroa Valley between 1994 and 2001, despite an enforcement order for its removal being issued in August 1998. By early in 2002, the material had been removed.

A sewer overflow at Porirua Hospital contaminated an adjacent playing field and stream. Capital Coast District Health Board commissioned a consultant to advise on a clean-up. The area was cordoned off until it was made safe for public use.

Watercourses throughout the Region have been repeatedly contaminated by sewer overflows, silt-laden run-off, oil spills and solid waste dumping. The most affected watercourses were Waiwhetu Stream, Taupo Stream, Karori Stream, Kaiwharawhara Stream, Owhiro Stream, Koromiko Stream, Pauatahanui Stream and the Hutt River.

During the 2001/02 year, Greater Wellington took the following enforcement action: