Media release

Council seeking help over foam in Waikato River

Posted On: Tuesday, 15 July 2003

Council is seeking the public's help to track down the source of white foam discharging into the Waikato River at Braithwaite Park in Pukete.

Acting water, drainage and refuse manager Richard Bax, says he wants people to call in as soon as they see the foam, believed to be detergent.

"The stormwater system we are dealing with covers a huge area, including the north ends of Avalon Drive and Te Rapa Straight right up to Braithwaite Park. To have a chance to track the foam back to its source, we need to know when the foam appears as soon as possible. If the public can phone Council as soon as they see white foam discharging into the river, then we will move immediately to try and trace it.

"We suspect the source is industrial where perhaps a business is doing a large clean up and flushing the detergent down the drain. If this is the case it's an easy fix, and we would work with them to help resolve it. We appreciate the calls we have had already from the public, and want to assure them we are working on it, and with their help we can solve this puzzle.

"Although the foam is doing the river no favours, it is not a serious threat," Mr Bax says.

Foam discharging into the river has been an ongoing but very irregular issue for a few years, and has proven to be extremely difficult to trace. About the only consistent factor is that the foam appears in the morning.

If you see white foam in Pukete, call Council on 838 6699.