Annual report 2006-2007 - Taranaki Regional Council

Kahouri Stream
Monitoring Programme
Annual Report
2006-2007
Technical Report 2007-118
ISSN: 0114-8184 (Print) Taranaki Regional Council
ISSN: 1178-1467 (Online) Private Bag 713
Document: 555705 STRATFORD
March 2009

Executive summary
The Kahouri Stream catchment, north of Stratford, is the location of several industries that
include an abattoir, a tannery, a zinc galvanising plant, a power station, an electricity
distribution substation, a concrete plant and more recently a fertiliser storage and
distribution site. The companies that run these industries hold a number of resource
consents to allow abstraction of water, discharge of stormwater and wastewater to the
stream and to land, discharge of emissions into the air, and placement of structures across
the stream. This report for the period July 2006-June 2007 describes the monitoring
programme implemented by the Taranaki Regional Council to assess the companies’
environmental performance during the period under review, and the results and effects of
the companies’ activities.
The companies hold a total of 20 resource consents, which include a total of 150 special
conditions setting out the requirements that the companies must satisfy.
The Council's monitoring programme included site inspections, the collection of water
samples for physicochemical analysis and a biological survey of receiving waters at seven
sites.
The biomonitoring survey in this monitoring period (April 2007) suggested that the
macroinvertebrate community at the site in the Kahouri Stream tributary into which
discharges from Taranaki Galvanisers, Egmont Tanneries and Fletcher Concrete flow was in
good condition. This community has not been recently detrimentally affected by activities in
the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary sub-catchment.
The April 2007 results suggest that generally the Kahouri Stream itself was in good
condition compared with past monitoring years, and that overall, any changes in
macroinvertebrate community composition with distance downstream were not indicative
of any significant decline in water quality. The abattoir tributary had a significant effect on
the macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of its confluence with the Kahouri Stream. Unlike
in the previous monitoring period, downstream of the tributary which receives the
discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs there was a significant decline in the MCI and SQMCIs
values, when compared to the upstream control site. This indicated that the elevated
nutrients and biological oxygen demand have affected the macroinvertebrate community
downstream of this discharge. This tributary also received the discharge from Ballance Agri-
Nutrients Limited, and therefore additional samples need to be taken within this tributary,
to isolate each site’s effect.
During the year under review the summer low flow survey indicated that the effects caused
by the discharge from Taranaki Abattoir Co (1992) Limited appear to be somewhat
assimilated at the monitoring site in the Kahouri Stream at Flint Road. It is still desirable that
the Company continues to make improvements to its wastewater treatment and disposal
system.
Leachate measured from the road drain adjacent to Taranaki Galvanisers during the year
under review contained dissolved zinc at a level near to the median of previous results for
this site. The dissolved zinc concentration in the tributary into which the drain flows, at its
confluence with the Kahouri Stream, was below the detection limit and was well below
recommended guideline levels for zinc concentrations in fresh water.

Six complaints, which were logged as unauthorised incidents, were made about air quality
in the Kahouri catchment during the reporting period. Five of these complaints were in
relation to odours from Taranaki Abattoirs, and one was in relation to the Egmont Tanneries
site. Objectionable odours were noted at the abattoir site by Council staff on one of these
occasions, and related to the processing of paunch out-of-spec product sourced from off-site.
This resulted in the issuance of an infringement notice. Significant improvements in
management have occurred at this site in the reported period, and this is reflected by the
80% reduction in incidents recorded against the site.
No effect of emissions from the galvanising site was detected at or beyond the boundaries at
the times of inspection.
In general the environmental performance for the companies in the Kahouri catchment
monitoring programme was high, although some improvement in performance was
desirable for Taranaki Abattoirs.
It is recommended that the monitoring programme for 2007-2008 continue at its present
level apart from an increase in samples taken during biological surveys, to properly assess
the impact that the Taranaki Abattoirs discharge is having on the abattoir tributary.

i
Table of contents
Page
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Compliance monitoring programme reports and the Resource
Management Act 1991 1
1.1.1 Introduction 1
1.1.2 Structure of this report 1
1.1.3 The Resource Management Act (1991) and monitoring 2
1.1.4 Evaluation of environmental performance 2
1.2 Resource consents 3
1.2.1 Other resource consents 4
1.2.1.1 Water permits 4
1.2.1.2 Discharge permits 4
1.2.1.3 Land use consents 4
1.3 Monitoring programme 4
1.3.1 Introduction 4
1.3.2 Programme liaison and management 4
1.3.3 Site inspections 5
1.3.4 Chemical sampling 5
1.3.5 Biomonitoring surveys 5
2. Taranaki Abattoir Co (1992) Limited 8
2.1 Process description 8
2.2 Resource consents 11
2.2.1 Water abstraction permit 11
2.2.2 Water discharge permit 12
2.2.3 Air discharge permit 12
2.2.4 Discharges of wastes to land 13
2.3 Monitoring programme 14
2.3.1 Site inspections 14
2.3.2 Chemical sampling 14
2.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 15
2.4 Results 15
2.4.1 Inspections 15
2.4.1.1 Routine inspections 15
2.4.1.2 Incident inspections 17
2.4.2 Sampling Results 18
2.4.2.1 Results of discharge monitoring 18
2.4.2.2 Results of receiving environment monitoring 22
2.5 Register of incidents 28
2.6 Discussion 30
2.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 30
2.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 31
2.6.3 Evaluation of performance 31
2.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 35
2.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 36
2.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 36

ii
2.7 Recommendations 37
3. Taranaki Galvanizers 38
3.1 Process description 38
3.2 Resource consents 39
3.2.1 Water discharge permit 39
3.2.2 Air discharge permit 40
3.3 Monitoring programme 40
3.3.1 Site inspections 40
3.3.2 Chemical sampling 41
3.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 41
3.4 Results 41
3.4.1 Water 41
3.4.1.1 Inspections 41
3.4.1.2 Results of water discharge monitoring 41
3.4.1.3 Results of receiving water monitoring 42
3.4.2 Air 46
3.5 Register of incidents 46
3.6 Discussion 46
3.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 46
3.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 46
3.6.3 Evaluation of performance 47
3.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 48
3.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 49
3.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 49
3.7 Recommendations 49
4. Egmont Tanneries Limited 50
4.1 Process description 50
4.2 Resource consents 51
4.2.1 Water abstraction permit 51
4.2.2 Water discharge permit 51
4.2.3 Air discharge permit 51
4.2.4 Discharges of wastes to land 52
4.3 Monitoring programme 53
4.3.1 Site inspections 53
4.3.2 Chemical sampling 53
4.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 53
4.4 Results 53
4.4.1 Water 53
4.4.1.1 Inspections 53
4.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring 54
4.4.1.3 Results of receiving environment monitoring 55
4.4.2 Air 57
4.4.2.1 Results of air monitoring 57
4.5 Register of incidents 57
4.6 Discussion 58
4.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 58

iii
4.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 58
4.6.3 Evaluation of performance 59
4.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 61
4.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 61
4.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 62
4.7 Recommendations 62
5. Transpower NZ Limited 63
5.1 Process description 63
5.2 Resource consents 63
5.2.1 Water discharge permit 63
5.3 Monitoring programme 64
5.3.1 Site inspections 64
5.3.2 Chemical sampling 64
5.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 64
5.4 Results 64
5.4.1 Water 64
5.4.1.1 Inspections 64
5.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring 65
5.4.1.3 Results of receiving environment monitoring 65
5.5 Register of incidents 67
5.6 Discussion 67
5.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 67
5.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 67
5.6.3 Evaluation of performance 67
5.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 68
5.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 68
5.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 68
5.7 Recommendations 69
6. Contact Energy Limited (closed power station) 70
6.1 Process description 70
6.2 Resource consents 70
6.2.1 Water discharge permit 70
6.3 Monitoring programme 70
6.3.1 Site inspections 70
6.3.2 Chemical sampling 70
6.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 71
6.4 Results 71
6.4.1 Water 71
6.4.1.1 Inspections 71
6.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring 71
6.4.1.3 Results of receiving water monitoring 71
6.5 Register of incidents 72
6.6 Discussion 72
6.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 72
6.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 72
6.6.3 Evaluation of performance 72

iv
6.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 73
6.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 73
6.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 73
6.7 Recommendations 73
7. Contact Energy Limited (CCPS) 74
7.1 Process description 74
7.2 Resource consents 74
7.2.1 Water discharge permit 74
7.2.2 Discharges of wastes to land 75
7.3 Monitoring programme 75
7.3.1 Site inspections 75
7.3.2 Biomonitoring surveys 76
7.4 Results 76
7.4.1 Water 76
7.4.1.1 Inspections 76
7.4.1.2 Results of receiving water monitoring 76
7.5 Register of incidents 77
7.6 Discussion 77
7.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 77
7.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 77
7.6.3 Evaluation of performance 77
7.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 78
7.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 78
7.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 79
7.7 Recommendations 79
8. Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited 80
8.1 Process description 80
8.2 Resource consents 81
8.2.1 Water discharge permit 81
8.3 Monitoring programme 81
8.3.1 Site inspections 81
8.3.2 Chemical sampling 82
8.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 82
8.4 Results 82
8.4.1 Water 82
8.4.1.1 Inspections 82
8.4.1.2 Receiving water monitoring 82
8.5 Register of incidents 84
8.6 Discussion 84
8.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 84
8.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 85
8.6.3 Evaluation of performance 85
8.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 85
8.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 86
8.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 86
8.7 Recommendations 86

9. Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited 87
9.1 Process description 87
9.2 Resource consents 87
9.2.1 Water discharge permit 87
9.3 Monitoring programme 88
9.3.1 Site inspections 88
9.3.2 Chemical sampling 88
9.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys 88
9.4 Results 88
9.4.1 Water 88
9.4.1.1 Inspections 88
9.4.1.2 Receiving water monitoring 89
9.5 Register of incidents 89
9.6 Discussion 90
9.6.1 Discussion of plant performance 90
9.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents 90
9.6.3 Evaluation of performance 90
9.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report 91
9.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008 91
9.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent 91
9.7 Recommendations 91
10. Water quality in the Kahouri catchment 92
11. Air quality in the Kahouri catchment 95
12. Summary of recommendations 96
Glossary of common terms and abbreviations 97
Bibliography and references 99
Appendix I Resource consents held by industries in the Kahouri Stream Catchment
(in alphabetical order)
Appendix II Biomonitoring report
v

vi
List of tables
Table 1 Resource consents for industrial activities in the Kahouri
catchment 3
Table 2 Parameters sampled in the Kahouri Stream and industrial
discharges during the low flow survey of receiving waters 7
Table 3 Chemical monitoring results for abattoir discharge for 2006-
2007, with summary of previous data since September 1988.
TRC site code IND003002. Yellow figures are new maxima,
pink figures new minima. 18
Table 4 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in the
Kahouri catchment, 18 April 2007 25
Table 5 Summary of unauthorised incidents during 2006-2007
monitoring year 29
Table 6 Summary of unauthorised incidents in the last seven
monitoring years 29
Table 7 Summary of performance for Consent 0108-3 to discharge
treated mean processing wastes from Stratford abattoir
oxidation ponds (currently under renewal application) 32
Table 8 Summary of performance for Consent 4055-2 to discharge
emissions to air 32
Table 9 Summary of performance for Consent 5176-1 to take water
from tributary of Kahouri Stream 33
Table 10 Summary of performance for Consent 5221-1 to discharge
excess waste from number 1 pond onto land 33
Table 11 Summary of performance for Consent 6570-1 to discharge
degenerating raw product onto or into land – Not exercised
during reported period 34
Table 12 Results of chemical monitoring of unnamed tributary of
Kahouri Stream below Taranaki Galvanisers 42
Table 13 Summary of performance for Consent 4064-2 to discharge
emissions into air from the operation of a hot dip
galvanising plant 47
Table 14 Summary of performance for Consent 4657-1 to discharge
stormwater from galvanising plant premises into an
unnamed tributary of Kahouri Stream 48
Table 15 Results of Egmont Tanneries stormwater discharge
monitoring during the 2006-2007 monitoring year, with
summary of previous monitoring data. TRC site code
STW001022 54
Table 16 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in a
tributary of the Kahouri Stream in relation to Egmont
Tanneries, 18 April 2007 (TRC site code KHI000369) 56
Table 17 Summary of performance for Consent 0140-2 to take water
from a tributary of the Kahouri Stream 59

Table 18 Summary of performance for Consent 1816-3 to discharge
stormwater from a tannery site into an unnamed tributary of
Kahouri Stream 59
Table 19 Summary of performance for Consent 4238-2 to discharge
emissions to air from the tannery 60
Table 20 Summary of performance for Consent 5708-1 to discharge
animal material from tannery operations into land 61
Table 21 Results of Transpower NZ Ltd discharge and related
receiving water monitoring on 18 April 2007, with summary
of previous monitoring data 65
Table 22 Summary of performance for Consent 1211-3 to discharge
treated domestic sewage from Stratford substation into the
Kahouri Stream 68
Table 23 Summary of performance for Consent 3939-2 to discharge
stormwater from Stratford Power Station into the Kahouri
Stream 72
Table 24 Summary of performance for Consent 4459-1 to discharge
stormwater from a combined cycle power station into the
Kahouri Stream 77
Table 25 Summary of performance for Consent 5063-1 to discharge
domestic septic tank effluent through a soakage field into
or onto land 78
Table 26 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in a
tributary of the Kahouri Stream in relation to Fletcher
Concrete, 18 April 2007 (TRC site code KHI000369) 83
Table 27 Summary of performance for Consent 5026-1 to discharge
stormwater and wash-water from a concrete batching plant
into a tributary of the Kahouri Stream 85
Table 28 Summary of performance for Consent 6217-1 to discharge
stormwater from a fertiliser storage and distribution facility
onto and into land and into an unnamed tributary of the
Kahouri Stream 90
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List of figures
Figure 1 Biological and chemical monitoring sites in the Kahouri
catchment 6
Figure 2 Annual kill for beef, sheep and pigs at Stratford abattoir
from 1994-95 to 2006-2007 8
Figure 3 Monthly kills of cattle, sheep and pigs at Taranaki Abattoirs 9
Figure 4 Taranaki Abattoirs site layout 11
Figure 5 Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the discharge from
the aerobic pond at Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds
indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results 20

Figure 6 Biological oxygen demand (BOD5) concentrations in the
discharge from the aerobic pond at Taranaki Abattoirs.
Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results 20
Figure 7 Chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations in the
discharge from the aerobic pond at Taranaki Abattoirs.
Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results 21
Figure 8 Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N) concentrations in the
discharge from the aerobic pond at Taranaki Abattoirs.
Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results 21
Figure 9 Dissolved reactive phosphorus concentrations in the
discharge from the aerobic pond at Taranaki Abattoirs.
Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results 22
Figure 10 MCI values and numbers of taxa recorded in the Kahouri
Stream during the current survey, together with median
values 27
Figure 11 SQMCIS values recorded in the Kahouri Stream during the
current survey, together with median values 28
Figure 12 Taranaki Galvanizers site layout 39
Figure 13 Zinc concentrations in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
downstream of the Taranaki Galvanizers site (includes both
above and below sites) 43
Figure 14 Ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations in a tributary of the
Kahouri Stream downstream of Taranaki Galvanizers site
(includes both above and below sites) 44
Figure 15 Conductivity in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
downstream of Taranaki Galvanizers site (includes both
above and below sites) 44
Figure 16 Zinc concentrations in tributary upstream of confluence
with Kahouri Stream 45
Figure 17 Egmont Tanneries site layout 50
Figure 18 Zinc concentrations in the Egmont Tanneries stormwater
discharge 55
viii

1. Introduction
1.1 Compliance monitoring programme reports and the Resource
Management Act 1991
1.1.1 Introduction
This report is the Annual Report for the period July 2006-June 2007 by the Taranaki
Regional Council on the monitoring programme associated with resource consents
held by eight industries 1 (listed in Table 1) in the Kahouri Stream catchment near
Stratford.
1
This report covers the results and findings of the monitoring programme
implemented by the Council in respect of the consents held by those industries that
relate to abstractions of and discharges to water and emissions to air from these sites
within the Kahouri Stream catchment.
One of the intents of the Resource Management Act (1991) is that environmental
management should be integrated across all media, so that a consent holder's use of
water, air, and land should be considered from a single comprehensive
environmental perspective. Accordingly, the Taranaki Regional Council generally
implements integrated environmental monitoring programmes and reports the
results of the programmes jointly. This report discusses the environmental effects of
the industries’ use of water, land, and air, and is the sixteenth combined annual
report by the Taranaki Regional Council for the Kahouri Stream Catchment.
The Kahouri Stream is a focus of recreation for Stratford residents and is a trout
spawning stream. Pollution of the stream in the past has been of concern to the
Council, particularly as it forms part of the upper Patea River catchment, which
drains to Lake Rotorangi, a hydro-electric lake that is an important recreational
resource. Hence water quality management of the Kahouri Stream is an important
issue.
1.1.2 Structure of this report
Section 1 of this report is a background section. It sets out general information about
compliance monitoring under the Resource Management Act and the Council’s
obligations and general approach to monitoring sites through annual programmes,
the resource consents held by companies in the Kahouri Stream catchment, the
nature of the monitoring programme in place for the period under review, and a
description of the activities and operations conducted in the industries’ within the
Kahouri Stream catchment.
Sections 2 to 8 present and discuss the results of monitoring for the seven industries
during the period under review, including scientific and technical data, the
interpretation of the results, and their significance for the environment.
Sections 9 and 10 summarise the results from a catchment perspective.
1 Activities of resource consents that are not covered by the Kahouri Stream Resource Consents
Monitoring Programme are included in other monitoring programmes carried out by the Council.

Section 11 presents recommendations to be implemented in the 2007-2008
monitoring year.
A glossary of common abbreviations and scientific terms, and a bibliography, are
presented at the end of the report.
1.1.3 The Resource Management Act (1991) and monitoring
2
The Resource Management Act primarily addresses environmental ‘effects’ which
are defined as positive or adverse, temporary or permanent, past, present or future,
or cumulative. Effects may arise in relation to:
(a) the neighbourhood or the wider community around a discharger, and may
include cultural and socio-economic effects;
(b) physical effects on the locality, including landscape, amenity and visual effects;
(c) ecosystems, including effects on plants, animals, or habitats, whether aquatic or
terrestrial;
(d) natural and physical resources having special significance (e.g., recreational,
cultural, or aesthetic);
(e) risks to the neighbourhood or environment.
In drafting and reviewing conditions on discharge permits, and in implementing
monitoring programmes, the Taranaki Regional Council is recognising the
comprehensive meaning of ‘effects’ inasmuch as is appropriate for each discharge
source. Monitoring programmes are not only based on existing permit conditions,
but also on the obligations of the Resource Management Act to assess the effects of
the exercise of consents. In accordance with section 35 of the Resource Management
Act 1991, the Council undertakes compliance monitoring for consents and rules in
regional plans; and maintains an overview of performance of resource users against
regional plans and consents. Compliance monitoring, including impact monitoring,
also enables the Council to continuously assess its own performance in resource
management as well as that of resource users particularly consent holders. It further
enables the Council to continually re-evaluate its approach and that of consent
holders to resource management, and, ultimately, through the refinement of
methods, to move closer to achieving sustainable development of the region’s
resources.
1.1.4 Evaluation of environmental performance
Besides discussing the various details of the performance and extent of compliance
by the companies in the catchment during the period under review, this report also
assigns an overall rating. The categories used by the Council, and their
interpretation, are as follows:
- a high level of environmental performance and compliance indicates that
essentially there were no adverse environmental effects to be concerned about,
and no, or trivial (such as data supplied after a deadline) non-compliance with
conditions.
- a good level of environmental performance and compliance indicates that adverse
environmental effects of activities during the year were negligible or minor at
most, items of concern were resolved positively, co-operatively, and quickly, the

3
Council did not record any verified unauthorised incidents involving significant
environmental impacts and was not obliged to issue any abatement notices, there
were perhaps some items noted on inspection notices for attention but these items
were not urgent nor critical, and follow-up inspections showed they have been
dealt with.
- improvement desirable indicates that the Council may have been obliged to
record a verified unauthorised incident involving significant environmental
impacts against the company, and/or abatement notices may have been issued;
there were adverse environmental effects arising from activities and intervention
by Council staff was required, and there were matters that required urgent
intervention, took some time to resolve, or remained unresolved at end of the
period under review.
- poor performance is used when there were grounds for prosecution or
infringement notice
1.2 Resource consents
The resource consents of the industries monitored are listed in Table 1. Details of
these consents are also summarised in each section specific to the industry under
discussion, and copies of the resource consents are given in Appendix I.
Table 1 Resource consents for industrial activities in the Kahouri catchment
Consent holder
Taranaki Abattoir Co (1992)
Limited
Taranaki Galvanisers
Egmont Tanneries
Consent
number
Purpose of consent Volume
Next
review
date
Expiry
date
5176-1 Take for stock and yard washing 108 m 3 /day 2010 2016
0108-2 Discharge treated wastewater 105 m 3 /day - 2004
5221-1 Discharge pond waste to land - - 2010
4055-2 Discharge emissions to air - - 2010
6570-1 Discharge degenerating raw product to land - 2006 2022
4657-1 Discharge stormwater 260 L/s - 2010
4064-2 Discharge emissions to air - - 2010
0140-2 Take for hide tanning operations 150 m3 /day - 2010
1816-3 Discharge stormwater 150 L/s 2010 2016
4238-2 Discharge emissions to air - 2008 2016
5708-1 Discharge animal material into land - 2010 2016
Transpower NZ 1211-3 Discharge treated domestic sewage 50 m 3 /day 2010 2016
Contact Energy (Old station) 3939-2 Discharge stormwater 350 L/s 2010 2016
Contact Energy (CCPS)
(previously Stratford Power
Ltd)
Fletcher Concrete &
Infrastructure Ltd (previously
Firth Industries)
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Limited
4459-1 Discharge stormwater 1360 L/s 2010 2028
5063-1 Discharge domestic septic tank effluent to land 5 m 3 /day 2010 2028
4460-1 Stormwater structures (land use) - 2010 2028
4461-1 Bridge, pipelines, cables and utilities (land use) - 2010 2028
4804-1 Bridge over tributary (land use) - 2010 2028
4454-1 Discharge emissions to air - - 2029
5026-1
Discharge stormwater; and
wash-water from concrete plant
170 L/s
5 m 3 /day
- 2010
6217-1 Discharge stormwater - 2010 2022

1.2.1 Other resource consents
A total of 29 resource consents, in addition to those referred to above, provide for a
range of other activities in the Kahouri Stream catchment.
1.2.1.1 Water permits
There is one consent held by a farmer to divert an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri
Stream for land upgrading purposes.
1.2.1.2 Discharge permits
Eighteen consents are currently held to discharge dairy shed wastewater, eight from
oxidation ponds to the Kahouri Stream and its tributaries, and nine to land plus one
that permits a discharge to land and water. An additional consent allows Taranaki
Farmers to discharge effluent from Stratford stockyards to land. Standard conditions
for the Taranaki region are imposed, controlling discharge rate and composition and
effects on the receiving environment.
Taranaki Stock Car Club Inc holds consent to discharge up to 25 litres per second of
stormwater from a stock car racing complex to a tributary of the Kahouri Stream.
Conditions define the component concentrations that shall not be exceeded in the
discharge, and the effects that shall not be observed in the tributary below the 50metre
mixing zone.
Shell New Zealand Limited holds consent to provide for seepage from the site of a
petroleum storage tank.
1.2.1.3 Land use consents
Seven land use consents are held; two for bridges, one for a pipeline and four for
culverts.
1.3 Monitoring programme
1.3.1 Introduction
Section 35 of the Resource Management Act sets out an obligation for the Taranaki
Regional Council to gather information, monitor, and conduct research on the
exercise of resource consents, and the effects arising, within the Taranaki region.
The Taranaki Regional Council may therefore make and record measurements of
physical and chemical parameters, take samples for analysis, carry out surveys and
inspections, conduct investigations, and seek information from consent holders.
The monitoring programme for the Kahouri Stream catchment consisted of four
primary components.
1.3.2 Programme liaison and management
There is generally a significant investment of time and resources by the Taranaki
Regional Council in ongoing liaison with resource consent holders over consent
4

5
conditions and their interpretation and application, in discussion over monitoring
requirements, preparation for any reviews, renewals, or new consents, advice on the
Council's environmental management strategies and the content of regional plans,
and consultation on associated matters.
1.3.3 Site inspections
Each site was scheduled for inspection in the monitoring programme. These
inspections are detailed in the relevant sections related to each industry. With regard
to consents for the abstraction of or discharge to water, the main points of interest
were plant processes with potential or actual discharges to receiving watercourses,
including contaminated stormwater and process wastewaters. Air inspections
focused on plant processes with associated actual and potential emission sources and
characteristics, including potential odour, dust, noxious or offensive emissions.
Sources of data being collected by the consent holder were identified and accessed,
so that performance in respect of operation, internal monitoring, and supervision
could be reviewed by the Council. The neighbourhood was surveyed for
environmental effects.
1.3.4 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of both discharges from
industrial sites and the water quality in the receiving Kahouri Stream catchment. The
locations of these sites are shown in Figure 1.
The water-monitoring programme included one shared summer low flow survey of
water quality in the Kahouri catchment. The programme specified that the
discharges from the abattoir, tannery, Taranaki Galvanizers and Contact Energy's
power station were to be monitored, together with six sites in the Kahouri receiving
waters. The samples analysed for those parameters are listed in Table 2.
1.3.5 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed at seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Biological and chemical monitoring sites in the Kahouri catchment
6

Table 2 Parameters sampled in the Kahouri Stream and industrial discharges during the low flow survey of receiving waters
Site Location
No. Temp Cond pH NTU SS DO BOD COD NH4 TKN NO3 DRP Cr ZnD E.coli O&G + Qualarc
Code
Kahouri above abattoir 1 x x x x x x x x X x x KHI 000297
Abattoir discharge 2 x* x* x x x x* x x* x* x x x IND 003002
Kahouri below abattoir 3 x x x x x x x x x X x KHI 000307
Ballance stormwater
discharge
x x + To be
established
Industrial discharge from
galvanisers 4b x* x* x* x x* x* x* IND005014
Drain below galvanisers 4 x* x* x* x x* x x* x* KHI 000358
Tannery stormwater drain 5 x x x x x x x STW 001022
Firth stormwater discharge x x x
Stormwater tributary above
Kahouri confluence
To be
established
6 x x x x x x X KHI 000369
Kahouri at Flint Road 7 x x x x x x X x X x KHI 000400
Sub-Station discharge 9 x x x x x x x x x x x SWG 002004
Kahouri above Piakau
confluence 10 x x x x x x x x x KHI 000480
Key: Temp = temperature; Cond = conductivity; NTU = turbidity; SS = suspended solids; DO = dissolved oxygen; BOD = biochemical oxygen demand; COD = chemical oxygen demand; NH4 = ammonia; TN = total
nitrogen; NO3 = nitrate; DRP = dissolved reactive phosphorus; TP = total phosphorus; Cr = chromium; ZnD = dissolved zinc; Cl = chloride; EC = E.coli, O&G = Oil and Grease.
* Also monitored during inspections
7

2. Taranaki Abattoir Co (1992) Limited
2.1 Process description
8
Taranaki Abattoir Co (1992) Limited [Taranaki Abattoirs] operate an abattoir and
rendering plant situated beside State Highway 3 at the Kahouri Stream bridge, about
one kilometre north of Stratford. The facility generally operates Monday-Friday and
slaughters cattle, sheep and pigs. Meat meal and tallow are also by-products
manufactured on site. About 25 persons are employed.
The facility has been upgraded and its capacity expanded significantly since 1995.
Figure 2 shows the annual kill of beef, sheep and pigs for the years ending 30 June
since 1995.
No. of kills
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Taranaki Abbattoir Kill 1994/95 - 2006/07
94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07
Beef Sheep Pigs Total Kill
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
Figure 2 Annual kill for beef, sheep and pigs at Stratford abattoir from 1994-95 to 2006-2007
In the year ending 30 June 2007, 5,878 cattle, 7,287 sheep and 29,298 pigs were
slaughtered. This represents a decrease on the figures for the previous monitoring
period of 15% for sheep and an increase of 42% for cattle and 0.71% for pigs. The
number of pigs killed had decreased significantly between 1998-1999 and 2000-2001,
but increased significantly in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 when a new high for number
of pigs processed in a year was recorded. In the current 2006-2007 monitoring year,
this figure was surpassed, for the second consecutive year (Figure 2).
Sheep kills have gradually decreased since 2000-2001 and this decrease continues,
with a moderate reduction between 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Beef kills were
somewhat higher in the 2006-2007 year, than that recorded in the two previous
periods.
Figure 3 shows monthly kills over the monitoring period. The rate of kill over the
2006-2007 monitoring period was relatively stable throughout the monitoring period
for cattle and sheep although beef did start the year slowly. Pig numbers on the other
hand began with a peak at the start of the year to taper off until March 2007, when
they peaked again, albeit lower than earlier in the year. The previous maximum for
number of pigs killed in a month (3881 – May 2006) was exceeded in July of the
reported period, with the new maximum being 3933.
0

The total number of animals processed in 2006-2007 rose from 2005-2006 to record
the fourth highest total to date (Figure 2). This change was primarily driven by the
increase in number of pigs slaughtered, and may have increased the loading in the
waste pond treatment system.
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
9
Taranaki Abattoir Kill July 2006-June 2007
Jul-06
Aug-06
Sep-06
Oct-06
Nov-06
Dec-06
Jan-07
Feb-07
Mar-07
Apr-07
May-07
Jun-07
Figure 3 Monthly kills of cattle, sheep and pigs at Taranaki Abattoirs
Cattle
Sheep
Pigs
The rendering plant processes soft and hard offal from the adjacent abattoir, while
some offal is also accepted from other sources e.g. Egmont Venison. Material is
processed in one of two batch cookers. Heating requirements are supplied from two
package boilers. Cooked material is discharged into a percolator pan and the product
centrifuged to remove surplus tallow. Solid material is milled and bagged. Tallow is
refined and stored in bulk. The batch melter used has a capacity of 1500 kg raw
material. Cooker gases are routed to a trash cyclone, then to an indirect condenser,
with non-condensable gases passed to a compost filter before discharge to
atmosphere. During the 2001-2002 monitoring year, the Company installed an
electronic temperature monitoring device, which could be placed either in the noncondensable
gas line at the inlet to the bio-filter, or in the bio-filter itself.
Water supply for the site comes from two sources. Water for stock and yard washing
is drawn at a small weir on an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream, 200 metres
upstream of the abattoir, whilst water for slaughter and process areas comes from
Stratford municipal supply.
The wastewater treatment system is a conventional two-pond system, which is
essentially a scaled-up version of those used to treat farm dairy wastes. It consists of
an anaerobic pond of approximately 2,000 cubic metres volume followed by an
aerobic pond about of 3,200 square metres in area.
Wastewater comes from three main sources, namely the slaughterhouse, stockyards
and rendering plant. Slaughterhouse wastewater passes through a screening system
that removes gross solids and then flows by gravity to the anaerobic pond. Drainage
from the partially covered stockyards is also gravity-fed to the treatment system.

10
Waste liquor and floor washings from the rendering process are pumped up to the
drainage system. Boiler condensate is disposed of in a soak hole.
The Company disposes of material unsuitable for rendering by composting in a
paddock next to the effluent treatment system. The composted material is then
spread over pasture.
Several notable improvements have been implemented for processing operations at
Taranaki Abattoirs. These include separation of blood from the waste stream that
feeds the anaerobic pond, the diversion of stormwater and run-off from the
stockyard roof from the effluent treatment system, processing modifications to
increase tallow recovery, and recycling of water.
In the 2001-2002 monitoring period a further set of fat traps were added to the
wastewater system. These were constructed alongside the milliscreen, and the flow
from the abattoir and the rendering plant is directed through them. This
improvement has the advantage of separating out more of the fat that was
previously sent to the pond system, thereby reducing the frequency at which the
Company exercises its consent [5221] for discharging excess waste from number one
pond onto and into land in the vicinity of an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri
Stream.
Also in the 2001-2002 monitoring period as a result of an unauthorised discharge of
untreated wastes to the unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream due to a blockage
in the manhole at the anaerobic pond inlet, an open drain has been dug between the
manhole and the anaerobic pond. If a blockage occurs that is not observed at the
daily inspection of the treatment ponds, any overflow at this manhole will be
directed to the pond.
A new condenser which was put in place in May 2004 has ensured that temperatures
of the gas flow to the biofilter are kept to levels which enable the efficient operation
of the biofilter and reduce odours from the plant. This was further enhanced by the
addition of a ‘cooling drum’ in the 2005-2006 monitoring year.

Figure 4 Taranaki Abattoirs site layout
2.2 Resource consents
2.2.1 Water abstraction permit
11
Section 14 of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may take, use,
dam or divert any water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by a resource
consent or a rule in a regional plan, or it falls within some particular categories set
out in Section 14.
Taranaki Abattoirs holds water permit 5176 to cover the abstraction of 108 m 3/day
(3.25 litres per second maximum) of water from an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri
Stream for stock and yard washing purposes at an abattoir. This consent was granted
for an abstraction of 4.5 m 3/day in August 1997 under Section 87(d) of the Resource
Management Act, and was varied in April 2002 to increase the permitted abstraction
volume to 108 m 3/day. This permit is due to expire on 1 June 2016.
Four special conditions have replaced the three attached to the original consent. The
special conditions require that the consent holder at all times adopt the best
practicable option to prevent or mitigate adverse effects on the environment,
maintain records of pumping rates and daily rates of abstraction, and provide
records to the Council, upon request. The last condition is a review provision.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.

2.2.2 Water discharge permit
12
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Taranaki Abattoirs holds water discharge permit 0108 to cover discharge up to 105
cubic metres per day (4 litres per second maximum) of treated wastewater from an
abattoir and rendering plant to an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream. This
permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 2 December 1992 under
Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It expired on 1 June 2004. An
application to renew this consent was received by the Council in the 2003-2004
monitoring year and was on hold pending the supply of further information under
Section 92 of the RMA (non-notified approval from potentially affected parties). This
consent has since been granted, although it only came into effect in the 2007-2008
monitoring period. Therefore the previous consent is that which is relevant to the
reporting period presently being reported.
Special conditions 1 to 3 specify limits for increases in biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD5) and unionised ammonia (NH3) beyond a discharge mixing zone of 50 metres
downstream of the confluence of the tributary with the Kahouri Stream and that the
discharge shall not give rise to effects on the Kahouri Stream.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
2.2.3 Air discharge permit
Section 15(1)(c) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant from any industrial or trade premises into air, unless the
activity is expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by
national regulations.
Taranaki Abattoirs holds air discharge permit 4055 to cover the discharge emissions
to the air from meat processing, rendering and associated activities including waste
treatment and disposal activities at the factory premises. This permit was issued by
the Taranaki Regional Council on 27 March 1998 under Section 87(e) of the Resource
Management Act. It is due to expire on 1 June 2010.
There are 21 special conditions attached to this consent.
Special condition 1 requires the consent holder to adopt the best practicable option.
Special conditions 2, 4, and 5 specify mechanisms to minimise emissions and impacts
of air contaminants discharge from the property and special condition 3 defines that
noxious, offensive or objectionable odours, or droplet deposition shall not pass the
property boundary.
Special conditions 6, 7 and 8 require the consent holder to develop a contingency
plan, and an operations and maintenance plan to address the processing of raw
material during normal operations and during equipment failure, to ensure that
discharges from the site are managed and minimised.

Special condition 9 requires the consent holder to notify the Council when
undertaking any alteration to the plant, operations or processes which may
significantly change the nature or quantity of contaminants discharged to air from
the site.
13
Special condition 10 details information that should be recorded, to help determine
factors that may contribute to any objectionable odours beyond the site boundary.
Special conditions 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 detail the processing requirements for
product coming on to the site. This ensures the management of product on site will
minimise discharges beyond the site boundary.
Special condition 16, 17 and 18 detail requirements for the condenser and bio-filter so
that odours generated by the site are treated appropriately.
Special condition 19 relates to plant cleaning procedures and special condition 20 is a
review condition. Special condition 21 states that the discharge of waste to land shall
not cause surface ponding in order to reduce odours.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
2.2.4 Discharges of wastes to land
Sections 15(1)(b) and (d) of the Resource Management Act stipulate that no person
may discharge any contaminant onto land if it may then enter water, or from any
industrial or trade premises onto land under any circumstances, unless the activity is
expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by national
regulations.
Taranaki Abattoirs holds discharge permit 5221 to cover the discharge of excess waste
from number one pond onto and into land in the vicinity of an unnamed tributary of
the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 5
March 1998 under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It is due to expire
on 1 June 2010.
Special conditions 1, 2 and 3 define operational requirements including adopting the
best practicable option and allowable volume.
Special conditions 4, 5 and 6 define the discharge requirements for waste to prevent
or minimise the adverse effects of the discharge on the environment, including no
direct discharges to water, or within certain distances from dwellings or roads and
surface ponding.
Special condition 8 requires that if wastes escape to water then the consent holder
must immediately notify the Council and report on the incident in writing within
seven days.
Taranaki Abattoirs holds discharge permit 6570 to cover the discharge of
degenerating raw product onto and into land in the vicinity of an unnamed tributary
of the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on

24 March 2005, under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It is due to
expire on 1 June 2022.
Special conditions 1, 2, 3 and 4 relate to adopting the best practicable option and
exercising the consent in accordance with the application, and notification
requirements.
Special condition 5 defines the information to be included in a Waste Burial
Management Plan, and that the disposal shall be in accordance with this plan.
14
Special conditions 6 and 7 define the type of product and circumstances (emergency)
in which this consent should be used.
Special conditions 8 and 9 define boundaries beyond which no adverse effects shall
occur and special conditions 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 define the requirements to keep
records of disposal, and burial cover and rehabilitation requirements.
The last two conditions are consent lapsing and review requirements.
The permits are attached to this report in Appendix I.
2.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Taranaki Abattoirs consisted of three primary
components in addition to the programme liaison and management.
2.3.1 Site inspections
The abattoir and rendering site was visited five times during the monitoring period
for routine site inspections. With regard to consents for the abstraction of or
discharge to water, the main points of interest were plant processes with potential or
actual discharges to receiving watercourses, including contaminated stormwater and
process wastewaters. Air inspections focused on plant processes with associated
actual and potential emission sources and characteristics, including potential odour,
dust, noxious or offensive emissions. Sources of data being collected by the consent
holder were identified and accessed, so that performance in respect of operation,
internal monitoring, and supervision could be reviewed by the Council. The
neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.
2.3.2 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of both the discharges from the
site (site 2, Figure 1) and the water quality upstream and downstream of the
discharge point and mixing zone (sites 1 and 3, Figure 1).
The aerobic pond discharge (site 2) was sampled on five occasions, and the sample
analysed for conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and chemical oxygen
demand. On one of these occasions (and in conjunction with the low flow survey of
the receiving water), pH, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, total
nitrogen and total phosphorus were also analysed.

15
The water-monitoring programme also included one shared summer low flow
survey of water quality in the Kahouri catchment. The programme specified that the
discharges from the abattoir, tannery and Contact Energy's power station were to be
monitored, together with six sites in the Kahouri receiving waters. The samples
analysed for those parameters listed in Table 2.
2.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Taranaki Abattoir discharge, site A (in the Kahouri Stream, upstream of the tributary
that receives the abattoir discharge) and C (in the Kahouri Stream, 50 m downstream
of the tributary that receives the abattoir discharge) were used to assess the effects of
the discharge on the biological communities of the stream.
2.4 Results
2.4.1 Inspections
2.4.1.1 Routine inspections
Five routine inspections of the Taranaki Abattoir site were conducted during the
2006-2007 monitoring year. Inspections focus on the waste treatment and disposal
systems, and on operation of the rendering plant, as a potential source of odour.
Where appropriate, effluent sampling was undertaken in combination with the site
inspections. Additional inspections were undertaken in relation to complaints.
The first compliance monitoring inspection was undertaken on 14 December 2006.
The inspection was undertaken with Frank Watty, the plant manager at the time. The
rendering area looked tidy and the only off site material being received was frozen
pork bones. It was noted that the area that is washed down near the tallow tank
needs to have the waste water directed to the waste water system, and that it should
not be running off towards the drain, as it contains spilt material e.g. meal. The
pressure release valve had been changed, and is now a cap which pops off when
pressures get too great. The wastewater ponds were checked, with only faint odours
emanating from them. Sewage fungus was noted in the receiving water body below
the wastewater discharge. It was not known how far downstream this sewage
fungus extended. The site appeared to be well managed.
On 20 December 2006 the Company was notified that a noticeable odour was present
some distance from the abattoir. The site manager tracked this down to a new
employee getting the pressures on the gas release slightly wrong.
The following inspection was completed on 1 February 2007. Again, the site manager
accompanied the officer during the inspection. There was a general clean up planned
for site, including repairing of the driveway. The rendering area was looking clean,
with the only issues being some material on the roof where it had fallen off the
conveyor, a small leak from the tallow bund, and fat in the stormwater drain leading
away from the fat trap area. The fat was sourced to the basket from the fat trap being
placed where fat could enter the stormwater system. It was requested that rendering

16
plant staff were made aware of this issue. The water abstraction was inspected, with
compliance with consent noted. The paddocks that receive blood from the abattoir
were tidy. The worm farm area was also looking tidy, although some blood was
noted with the paunch that was spread there. Mr Watty explained that when pigs
were being processed, more blood than usual was collected with the paunch, and
this would all be disposed of at the worm farm. Frank was aware of the odour
potential, and was monitoring the area to ensure any significant odour was
minimised.
The following compliance monitoring inspection was undertaken with Consents
Manager Colin McLellan. Terry Lester, owner of the site, was met on site, and the
processing of the consent application for the wastewater discharge was discussed.
During the site inspection, some spilt blood was found on the ground near the blood
tank. It was requested that this was tidied up to prevent the generation of odours.
There was little material awaiting rendering, and the tallow tank area looked good,
with no tallow noted in the bunded area. The stormwater drain alongside the access
track closest to the bridge had some standing water, and a slick on it, suggesting
some product may have been washed down here. Staff were reminded that only
clean water was to enter this drainage system. The fat traps near the biofilter looked
well maintained, although there was an issue of fat getting into the bunded area and
entering the stormwater drain. Again, staff were reminded that this needed to be
avoided, and may be from the baskets from the fat traps being put into the bunded
area. Only minor odours were noted at the site. Inspection of the worm farm area
noted quite some blood. The Company was advised that this would need to be
monitored, as the blood had the potential to create odours. The ponds looked good,
with little noticeable odour. There was a stiff southerly breeze at the time of
inspection. Mr Lester mentioned that the ponds had recently been stirred, and it was
understood that some of the second pond was sprayed to land. A sample was taken
from the outfall, with extensive growths of sewage fungus noted at the discharge
point. The dissolved oxygen in the pond was recorded as 0.3mg/litre. This is low,
and suggested that the ponds were overloaded. An inspection of the tributary at the
State Highway 3 bridge noted sewage fungus and discolouration. The dam from
where water is abstracted was very low, with very little inflow. There was no flow
past the dam. Mr Lester mentioned that he hoped to arrange for water to be
abstracted from the tributary that the wastewater discharge presently enters. Overall
the site was generally tidy, with little potential for odour noted. The stormwater
catchment was generally clean.
The fourth monitoring inspection was undertaken on 17 May 2007. The paunch
collection area and blood tanks were tidy, with no spills evident. The product
awaiting rendering was inspected, and not all bins were securely covered, with some
lids half on. A cook was just starting to be loaded during inspection. The tallow tank
bund was empty but nearby some meal had been spilt onto the tarseal. Staff were
asked to ensure that this meal was swept up, and not washed down to the
stormwater drain. Both roller doors at the rendering area were half open. Inspection
of the ponds found the first pond to still be capped with fat. The second pond was
green, indicating the presence of algae. A sample of the discharge was taken. The
dissolved oxygen in the pond was at 30% saturation. Some odour was noted
emanating from the ponds. With regard to odour the site appeared to be well
managed. With regard to stormwater, only the spilt meal near the tallow tank, and
the fat in the stormwater drain near the biofilter required attention.

17
The final monitoring inspection was undertaken on 28 June 2007. It was noted that
product awaiting rendering needed better covers, as some bins had lids, although not
securely covered, while other bins were open. Some runoff from these bins had
escaped the bunded area, probably during washdown. This had not reached surface
water, but staff were reminded that this should be avoided. At the rendering plant,
little odour was noted. However, washdown had pushed solid fats and tallow
towards stormwater drains. This also had not reached stormwater, but involved the
same area as discussed in previous inspections. Mr Lester was told that improvement
in this area was needed, and he mentioned he would talk with the staff involved.
Collected blood had been spread to land, and in a couple of patches it was quite
thick. The worm farm was looking good, although with recent weather conditions it
was quite wet. It was intended to have the area windrowed again. Little odour was
noted from the ponds during the inspection.
2.4.1.2 Incident inspections
On 7 August 2006, an inspection was undertaken in response to an odour complaint.
An odour survey was also conducted, in wind conditions that were strong north to
north-westerly. Some intermittent odour was noted on 200m along Flint Road, with
noticeable odour noted on Monmouth Road. Onsite it was found that the main vent
to biofilter was opened at the time of complaint. It was thought that the pressure
release valve on this line may be allowing the uncontrolled emissions of non
condensable gases to air. However, at the time of inspection no objectionable odours
were detected beyond the site boundary.
Another complaint was received on 24 August 2006, and a subsequent inspection
found that paunches were being processed through the pre-breaker. This led to a
discharge of odour, which was found to be constant and objectionable at Monmouth
Road. The Company was issued an infringement notice for this offence.
The following inspection, also in response to an odour complaint, was made on 1
November 2006. This inspection found strong objectionable odours on Kahouri
Road. It was concluded that these odours were most likely generated through the
release of a cook, although some comments were made about main doors to the
building being open while a cook was being loaded. It was noted that modifications
had recently been made to the aforementioned pressure release valve. No further
action was taken following this inspection.
An odour survey was conducted on 8 February 2007 in response to an odour
complaint. Only noticeable odours were detected outside the rendering plant. The
site was not inspected.
Another odour survey was conducted on 20 February 2007, also in response to an
odour complaint. Light constant and noticeable odours were detected down wind of
plant on Flint Road. Also, odours on Monmouth Road, down wind of plant, were
intermittent and noticeable. Inspection of the rendering plant found the top doors on
the rendering building open, with strong localised odours present. Inspection of the
log and discussions with rendering plant staff found that a water trap on the base of
the cyclone was removed earlier in the day and resulted in uncontrolled venting of
non-condensable gas emissions to the atmosphere. The water trap and associated
pipes were blocked prior to venting of the cooker, but had been replaced at the time
of inspection. It was noted that the biofilter bed had been upgraded. During the

18
inspection, staff also outlined that an internal complaint had been received regarding
odours, which was sourced to excessive blood in the contrashear waste. This was
addressed by burial of the product. It was concluded that short term, objectionable
odours may have occurred earlier in the day as a result of the failure to maintain the
integrity of the pipeline to the biofilter. No further action was taken regarding these
findings.
2.4.2 Sampling Results
2.4.2.1 Results of discharge monitoring
Five samples of the discharge from the aerobic pond of the Taranaki Abattoirs
wastewater treatment system were collected. One of these samples was collected in
conjunction with the low flow survey in the Kahouri Stream and included additional
parameters compared to the four samples of the discharge alone. The results of these
samples are given in Table 3 below.
The concentrations of most parameters monitored during the year were within the
range of values previously recorded. Dissolved oxygen was similar to the median of
previous values (Table 3) and similar to values recorded in recent years (Figure 5). In
contrast, three of the four samples contained a higher than median chemical oxygen
demand (COD) (Table 3 and Figure 7). This is similar to the results seen in the
previous monitoring year, and indicates that overall, the wastewater being
discharged may be deteriorating in its level of treatment.
Table 3 Chemical monitoring results for abattoir discharge for 2006-2007, with summary of previous data
since September 1988. TRC site code IND003002.
new minima.
Yellow figures are new maxima, pink figures
Parameter Unit N Min Max Median 14/12/07 5/4/07 18/4/07 17/5/07 28/6/07
Time NZST - - - - 10:40 10:30 9:45 10:50 13:20
Temperature °C 65 7.3 23.9 15.3 - 18.1 13.2 - 8.5
Dissolved oxygen g/m3 63 0.1 31.9 5.0 - - 5.8 - 6.2
Conductivity @
20°C
mS/m 65 40.6 206 115.0 119 198 202 229 130
pH 55 7.0 9.4 7.8 - 7.7 7.7 - -
Turbidity* NTU 17 11 120 27 - - 95 - -
Suspended solids g/m 3 43 5 470 130 63 - 210 - -
Biochemical
oxygen demand
(BOD)
Chemical oxygen
demand (COD)
Ammoniacal
nitrogen
Un-ionised
ammonia
g/m 3 37 8.2 330 78.0 - - 180 - -
g/m 3 47 58 1100 220 190 350 460 390 160
g/m 3 NH4-N 62 3.79 243 116 138 263 238 245 160
g/m 3 NH3 11 0.54 6.71 2.32 - 5.39 3.40 - -
Total nitrogen g/m 3 N 10 54.9 301 133.5 - - 278 - -
Dissolved reactive
phosphorus
g/m 3 P 19 0.07 20.9 11.4 - - 23.1 - -
Faecal coliforms nos/100ml 18 1500 2800000 72500 - - 280000 - -
E.coli bacteria nos/100ml 12 21000 420000 71000 - - 280000 - -
* Summary statistics for previous samples, analysed with a different meter

19
The biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the discharge was sampled once (in
conjunction with the low flow survey on the Kahouri Stream) and was above the
median of previous values, being higher than most previous concentrations since
records began (Figure 6). This BOD was the third highest recorded, and resulted in
an increase in the receiving Kahouri Stream above the 1 g/m 3 limit defined in
consent 0108 (special condition 1) downstream of the confluence with the tributary
that receives the abattoir discharge. This is discussed further in the receiving
environment monitoring section of this report, but indicates that the pond treatment
system was not performing well particularly towards the end of the monitoring
period.
Also of interest in relation to discharge water quality, is the generally high
ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N). All four samples found levels of ammoniacal
nitrogen in the discharge to be over the median of 62 previous samples (Table 3). The
April and May samples were significantly higher than the median, with one April
sample containing the most ammoniacal nitrogen recorded in the past 18 years of
monitoring (Figure 8). Related to this figure is the total nitrogen contained in the
discharge. In April 2007, the level of total nitrogen was the second highest ever
recorded, second only to the previous year’s monitoring result (Table 3).
Another nutrient of interest is dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP). The DRP was
measured once in the discussed monitoring period, and was also found to be the
highest ever recorded. This is the second consecutive year that a new maximum has
been set, and this continues the general trend seen since monitoring began, of a slight
increase over time of DRP in the discharge (Figure 9).
This increase in DRP and total nitrogen are of some concern, as they control
periphyton growth on the bed of the receiving watercourse(s). Should this increase in
nutrient output continue, it is possible a concurrent increase in nuisance algal
growths may be experienced further downstream. The increase in ammonia and DRP
also indicates loss of aerobic conditions in the pond system.
E-coli numbers in the discharge were sampled at the same time as the DRP, and
found to be more four times the median, and this follows the previous year’s result,
which was four times previous maximum recorded from eleven surveys (Table 3).
There are potential health impacts from a high discharge of E-coli.
It is possible that higher loadings due to increases in production in the rendering
plant could be associated with decreases in the performance of the anaerobic-aerobic
pond treatment system at Taranaki Abattoirs. However variable performance has
also been noted in the past.

Dissolved oxygen (g/m 3 )
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Jul-88
20
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in discharge from Taranaki
Abattoirs
Jul-90
Jul-92
Jul-94
Jul-96
Figure 5 Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the discharge from the aerobic
pond at Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results
Biological oxygen demand (5 day) (g/m 3 )
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Jul-88
Jul-98
Jul-00
Jul-02
Jul-04
Biological oxygen demand in discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs
Jul-90
Jul-92
Jul-94
Jul-96
Figure 6 Biological oxygen demand (BOD5) concentrations in the discharge from the aerobic
pond at Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results
Jul-98
Jul-00
Jul-02
Jul-04
Jul-06
Jul-06

Chemical oxygen demand (g/m 3 )
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Jul-88
21
Chemical oxygen demand in discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs
Jul-90
Jul-92
Jul-94
Jul-96
Figure 7 Chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations in the discharge from the aerobic pond
at Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results
Ammoniacal nitrogen (g/m 3 )
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Jul-88
Jul-98
Jul-00
Jul-02
Jul-04
Ammoniacal nitrogen in discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs
Jul-90
Jul-92
Jul-94
Jul-96
Figure 8 Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N) concentrations in the discharge from the aerobic pond at
Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results
Jul-98
Jul-00
Jul-02
Jul-04
Jul-06
Jul-06

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (g/m3)
22
Dissolved reactive phosphorus in discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs
25
20
15
10
5
0
Feb-89
Feb-91
Feb-93
Feb-95
Feb-97
Feb-99
Feb-01
Feb-03
Feb-05
Feb-07
Figure 9 Dissolved reactive phosphorus concentrations in the discharge from the aerobic pond at
Taranaki Abattoirs. Clear diamonds indicate 2006-2007 monitoring results
2.4.2.2 Results of receiving environment monitoring
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007 during fine weather. The daily mean flow at the nearest river flow
recorder, on the Patea River downstream at Skinner Road, was 780 litres per second2, and therefore it is thought that Kahouri Stream was flowing at approximately mean
annual low flow. The results for the 2007 survey are presented in Table 4. The survey
was conducted during stable flows, with only a number small flushes occurring in
the three months previous. The last significant fresh (greater than 3 times median)
had occurred more than three months prior to this survey.
Two chemical monitoring sites are located in the receiving waters near Taranaki
Abattoirs. They are located in the Kahouri Stream itself, one just upstream of State
Highway 3, the other about 50 metres below the confluence with the tributary which
receives the discharge from the waste treatment ponds (Figure 1).
Consent conditions 1 and 2 in resource consent 0108 state the following water quality
limits in the receiving Kahouri Stream 50 m downstream of the confluence with the
tributary receiving the wastewater discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs:
Special condition 1 BOD5 shall not raise concentration by more than 1 g/m 3
Special condition 2 NH3 upper limit of 0.025 g/m 3
The ambient BOD5 of the Kahouri Stream upstream of the abattoir discharge was at
the detection limit of 0.5 g/m 3. The BOD5 concentration 50 m downstream of the
tributary that receives the Taranaki Abattoir wastewater discharge was 5.0 g/m 3, an
increase from the background level of 4.5 g/m 3 (Table 4). Therefore, compliance in
2
The annual median flow at this point is about 3,133 litres per second and the mean annual low flow is
approximately 783 litres per second.

23
respect of special condition 1 of consent 0108 was not achieved at the time of this
survey. This is the third consecutive year that this non-compliance has occurred. The
BOD5 in the discharge (180 g/m 3) during this low flow survey was relatively high
compared to previous years, and coupled with a high chemical oxygen demand
suggested that the aerobic pond was not performing well. Considering it appears the
Kahouri Stream had recorded lower flows prior to this water quality survey, it is
likely that greater increases in the BOD5 may have occurred in the Kahouri Stream
downstream of the abattoir discharge during March and early April 2007. Further, at
BOD5 concentrations greater than 2 g/m 3, there may be some potential for
undesirable heterotrophic growths to bloom in the stream. No such growths were
detected in the biological monitoring conducted on 17 April 2007 (refer to biological
section below).
The un-ionised ammonia concentration 50 m downstream of the tributary was
0.01155 g/m 3, compared to the consent limit of 0.025 g/m 3. Compliance in respect of
special condition 2 of consent 0108 was therefore achieved at this time. Un-ionised
ammonia is the most toxic form of ammonia, and at these concentrations, is unlikely
to cause significant adverse effects on the biological communities of the Kahouri
Stream.
While this concentration of unionised ammonia may not be expected to cause
significant adverse effects it still reflects an increase of more than 100 times the
background figure recorded upstream. Furthermore, the ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4)
increased significantly to 1.87 g/m 3, being 155 times higher downstream of the
tributary that receives the abattoir wastewater discharge, compared to levels
upstream. Compared to the ANZECC Water Quality guidelines (ANZECC 2000)
which provide limits to prevent nuisance growths of algae, this is extremely high
(when compared with the limit for slightly disturbed systems in upland rivers). The
recommended limit for ammoniacal nitrogen is 0.01 g/m 3. In the Kahouri Stream at
Flint Road, this concentration had dropped somewhat, but remained high (0.226
g/m 3), thus indicating ammonia concentrations appear to fall significantly by this
point 3 km downstream (TRC site code KHI000400).
Dissolved reactive phosphorus was raised from 0.094 to 0.263 g/m 3 below the
discharge. However, this had decreased slightly to 0.134 g/m 3 at the site in the
Kahouri Stream at Flint Road. The ANZECC guideline for DRP in slightly disturbed
systems in upland rivers is 0.009 g/m 3 (ANZECC, 2000). The previous survey had
seen ammonia and phosphorus concentrations between these two sites drop to much
lower concentrations, indicating that the higher concentrations seen in the discharge
during this survey somewhat overloaded the assimilative ability of the Kahouri
Stream.
The discharge was not observed to cause any conspicuous effects upon the water of
the Kahouri Stream at the downstream sampling point. The turbidity and suspended
solids results did not change markedly at the Kahouri site downstream of the
confluence with the tributary that carries the abattoir effluent.
During the low flow survey, an additional sample was taken from the tributary into
which the abattoir discharges but approximately 30 metres upstream from the
abattoir’s discharge point. This provides an indicator of the background
concentrations that are in the tributary prior to the discharge entering it.

24
In comparing the results (upstream of the abattoir discharge, TRC site code
KHI000301) to the point below the abattoir discharge (TRC site code KHI000307), the
outstanding features are the marked increases in ammoniacal nitrogen and dissolved
reactive phosphorus concentrations. Both nutrients are greatly in excess of the levels
recommended by the ANZECC water quality guidelines, and this is likely to
contribute to the proliferation of algae in the Patea River, into which the Kahouri
Stream flows (TRC, 2006b). It should be noted that Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd also
discharge stormwater to land in this unnamed tributary’s catchment. This discharge
may also enter water. See Section 9.4.1.2 for the discussion of receiving water results
related to this site.

Table 4 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in the Kahouri catchment, 18 April 2007
Site Location Site code
25
Time BOD5 COD CONDY CrAS DO DRP E.coli FC NH3 NH4 TN NNN pH SS Temp Turb ZnD
(NZST) g/m 3 g/m 3 mS/m g/m 3 g/m 3 g/m 3 P no/100ml no/100ml g/m 3 g/m 3 N g/m 3 N g/m 3 N g/m 3 Deg.C NTU g/m 3
Kahouri above abattoir KHI000297 1041 0.5 10.9 10.6 0.094 120 130 0.00011 0.012 0.95 7.6

26
Biological survey
The Council’s standard ‘kick-sampling’ technique was used at seven sites to collect
streambed macroinvertebrates from the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary
on 17 April 2007. Samples were sorted and identified to provide the number of taxa
(richness), MCI and SQMCIS scores for each site.
The MCI is a measure of the overall sensitivity of the macroinvertebrate community
to the effects of organic pollution in stony streams. It is based on the
presence/absence of taxa with varying degrees of sensitivity to environmental
conditions. It may be used in soft-bottomed streams to detect trends over time. The
SQMCIS takes into account taxa abundance as well as sensitivity to pollution, and
may reveal more subtle changes in communities, particularly if non-organic impacts
are occurring.
Significant differences in either MCI or SQMCIS between sites indicate the degree of
adverse effects (if any) of discharges being monitored.
This summer survey of macroinvertebrate communities in the Kahouri Stream
indicated that the communities directly downstream of the tributary that receives the
Taranaki Abattoirs and Ballance Agri-Nutrients discharges were significantly
different than those upstream. Taxa richness and MCI score were slightly healthier
than median community conditions recorded previously at the ‘control’ site. There
was a significant decrease in MCI and SQMCIS scores at the lower site, which may
have been due to additional instream nutrients supplied by the tributary. This is
likely to be due to the impacts from the abattoir, but this is unclear without further
monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional sites be included in
subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge on this unnamed
tributary.
Further downstream at Flint Road, the macroinvertebrate community remained very
similar in community structure and indicated similar stream ‘health’, although there
was a recovery in the SQMCIS score at this site. None of the rest of the Kahouri
Stream sampling sites further downstream showed any significant adverse effects as
a result of industrial discharges to this catchment, consistent with the absence of any
significant heterotrophic growths on the stream substrate.
The macroinvertebrate communities of the Kahouri Stream were generally
characterised by moderate taxonomic richnesses at the time of this April 2007 survey
despite a period of relatively low flows during the latter part of summer. These
communities continued to support abundances of several ‘sensitive’ taxa at all main
stream sites, from upstream of the Taranaki Abattoir, to the confluence with the
Piakau Stream. All sites had relatively similar communities, particularly in terms of
those taxa characteristic to each site. For example, eight taxa dominated the
communities of nearly all of the six Kahouri Stream sites.
Most MCI scores were similar to historical median MCI scores, and higher SQMCIs
scores than historical medians were recorded throughout the stream. There was some
longitudinal deterioration throughout the catchment, a trend which is usually
present in agricultural ringplain catchments due to non-point source discharges and
is demonstrated by decreasing median MCI and SQMCIs scores in a downstream

27
direction from past surveys. Taranaki ringplain streams’ communities have been
shown to decrease in MCI scores at an average rate of 2.6 MCI units/km along their
total length, probably at a higher rate than this toward the upper reaches. This would
equate to a theoretical drop in MCI of about 21 units over the length of the Kahouri
Stream surveyed. The current survey recorded a decrease of 23 units, a rate of 2.9
MCI units/km. This is higher than what has been recorded in previous surveys,
which attributed a lack of a significant trend to the moderation of algae growth due
to good riparian vegetation cover along the banks of the Kahouri Stream in the reach
monitored. The trend seen in this survey is largely the result of an above average
community at the top site, coupled with a below average community at the
downstream site.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay
substrate, but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had
relatively high MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from
discharges in the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which
includes discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth
Industries.
Generally these April 2007 results suggested that the Kahouri Stream was in good
‘health’ compared with past monitoring years, throughout the 8 km reach surveyed.
Any changes in macroinvertebrate community composition with distance
downstream were not indicative of any significant decline in water quality and
therefore reflected no recent impacts of point-source discharges in this part of the
catchment. There is some indication of impacts from the Taranaki Abattoirs site, and
therefore it is recommended to increase the scope of following surveys, to include
impacts of this site on their unnamed tributary. The lower unnamed tributary did not
have any detectable effect on the macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of its
confluence with the Kahouri Stream.
MCI Value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
A
C
E
F
MCI Median MCI No. Taxa Median no. of taxa
Figure 10 MCI values and numbers of taxa recorded in the Kahouri Stream during the current
survey, together with median values
G
N
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of Taxa

SQMCIs Value
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
A
C
E
28
F
SQMCI Median SQMCI
Figure 11 SQMCIS values recorded in the Kahouri Stream during the current survey,
together with median values
2.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were 5 incidents recorded by the Council that were
associated with Taranaki Abattoirs. All of these incidents related to odours emitted
outside the site boundary, 1 of which was found to be objectionable or offensive and
therefore did not comply with special condition 3 of consent 4055. This consent
condition requires that at no time shall the consent holder cause or allow an odour at
or past the legal boundary of the consent holder’s site that in the opinion of an
enforcement officer of the Taranaki Regional Council is noxious or offensive or
objectionable. During the investigation of another odour complaint, it was
discovered that non-condensable gases were vented directly to air. This was a breach
of special condition 17(a) of the same consent.
During this monitoring period, no abatement notices were issued. However, during
this monitoring period, the Company was invited to explain the circumstances
relating to one of the reported breaches. An explanation was received, but was not
sufficient for the Council to withdraw enforcement action. Consequently an
infringement notice with $1,000 fine was issued.
G
N

29
The details and investigations relating to these unauthorised incidents are detailed in
2.4.1.2 (which details inspections related to incidents). A summary of the complaints
and incidents on a monthly basis are given in Table 5.
Table 5 Summary of unauthorised incidents during 2006-2007 monitoring year
No. of
complaints
No. of complaints
with objectionable
odours
July - - -
Consent
Noncompliance
with consent
4055
conditions
Enforcement
Action
Comments
August 2 1 4055 3 Infringement Discharge of offensive odour
September - -
October - -
November 1 - 4055
December - -
January - -
February 2 - 4055 17
March - -
April - -
May - -
June - -
Total 5 1
Table 6 Summary of unauthorised incidents in the last seven monitoring years
Monitoring
year
Total number
of
unauthorised
incidents
Number of
incidents
related to
objectionable
odours
Number of
non-odour
related
incidents
2006-2007 5 5 0
2005-2006 27 25 2
2004-2005 19 18 1
Venting of non-condensable
gases directly to air
Comments
1 Instance of objectionable odour, and one in which noncondensable
gases were vented direct to air.
9 instances of objectionable odour; Odours mainly
sourced from cooking of off-spec product, and discharge
of inadequately treated cooking gases. Tallow spill and
breach of consent condition regarding BOD5 in receiving
water.
11 odours found to be objectionable; Odours mainly
sourced from out of spec product; Some odours from
worm farm (in summer). Tallow spill.
2003-2004 5 5 -
Odours from prolonged loading and venting of cooker,
and problems with condenser/bio-filter. Receiving water
quality BOD breach of consent.
2002-2003 1 1 - Lack of water during cooking resulted in burning.
2001-2002 4 3 1
2000-2001 3 1 2
Odours due to worm farm paunch being moved. Two
odour complaints were unsubstantiated.
Odour from out of spec product. Discharge of untreated
effluent to stream due to blocked pipe; BOD exceeded in
receiving water

2.6 Discussion
2.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
30
In general, Taranaki Abattoir Company's facilities were managed in a poor manner
in terms of compliance with conditions on the air discharge consent. Compliance
with the discharge to water consent was on the whole good, although for the third
year running the Company had been in breach of special condition 1 of that consent.
This condition required that
“the discharge shall not raise the ambient BOD5 of the Kahouri Stream by greater
than 1 gram per cubic metre when measured at a point 50 metres downstream of
its confluence with the tributary into which the discharge enters”.
Also of concern is that nutrient concentrations in the discharge have recently
increased, which may be a reflection of the increased production at the abattoir. This
consent was renewed in November 2007, and will expire in June 2010. The consent
was given such a short duration, as it was accepted that the Company needed to
undertake research on their wastewater system, before any long term consent could
be granted. This allowed the Company to continue operating, while researching for
the most efficient treatment system. While this may allow the continuation of certain
impacts on the Kahouri Stream catchment, it is unlikely that these impacts will
worsen before the consent expires.
Compliance with the other three resource consents held was generally satisfactory.
Housekeeping was generally found to be good through most of the plant during
inspections.
Throughout the previous monitoring period the Company made some efforts to
reduce the incidence of offensive or objectionable odours being discharged off site.
One such improvement was the addition of a cooling drum, which reduced the
temperature of the non-condensable gases prior to those gases passing through the
biofilter. While this initially caused some problems, the design was improved and
the desired outcome achieved. Significant reductions were made in the amount of
product accepted for rendering, which reduced the incidence of off-spec product
being brought onto the site. This made a significant contribution improving the air
discharges from the site, and follows up from the comments made in the previous
monitoring report. It is primarily these changes, combined with an improvement in
site management, which has led to a dramatic decrease in incidents logged against
the site.
The spreading of blood and biosolids on land, with regular addition of lime and trace
minerals, has been successful. The worm farm caused some odours to occur off site
and this area needs to be managed carefully to reduce odours particularly during the
summer months. The Company notified the Council on several occasions during the
year when disturbance in the worm farm area was occurring, which had the
potential to increase the discharge of odour.
During the previous monitoring year, a review of the contingency plan was received,
and a revised version was accepted on 29 May 2006. This contingency plan is in place
for the processing and/or disposal of any unprocessed material in the event of plant
equipment failure or any other loss of processing capacity. This contingency plan

31
also referred to the new consent 6570 granted in the monitoring year under review,
however a waste burial management plan is required under the new consent to bury
raw degenerating product to land. Matters that should be addressed in the
management plan are detailed in special condition 5. Many of these matters have
been addressed in the contingency plan, however some still need to be detailed or
expanded on further. This will be addressed in the upcoming monitoring year.
2.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
The low flow water quality survey indicated that the discharge was increasing the
BOD5 above consented levels in the receiving water, and elevating the nutrients in
the Kahouri Stream downstream of the confluence with the tributary that receives
the Taranaki Abattoir discharge to well in excess of ANZECC water quality
guidelines.
The results of the April 2007 biomonitoring survey indicated that the communities
directly downstream of the tributary that receives the Taranaki Abattoirs and
Ballance Agri-Nutrients discharges were significantly different than those upstream,
where taxa richness and MCI score were slightly healthier than median community
conditions recorded previously at this ‘control’ site. There was a significant decrease
in MCI and SQMCIS scores at the lower site, which may have been due to additional
instream nutrients supplied by the tributary. This is likely to be due to the impacts
from the abattoir, but this is unclear without further monitoring. Therefore it is
recommended that additional sites be included in subsequent surveys to assess the
impact of the abattoir discharge on this unnamed tributary.
In relation to air emissions, in the 2006-2007 year, there were 5 incidents related to
odours emitted outside the site boundary, 1 of which was considered to be offensive
and therefore did not comply with special condition 3 of consent 4055, having
significant adverse effects on neighbouring properties. This consent condition
requires that at no time shall the consent holder cause or allow an odour at or past
the legal boundary of the consent holder’s site that in the opinion of an enforcement
officer of the Taranaki Regional Council is noxious or offensive or objectionable.
Further, on one occasion, it was found that non-condensable gases were being vented
direct to air, which did not comply with special condition 17.
In response to the discharge of objectionable odours, one infringement notice was
issued during the 2006-2007 monitoring year. This is a significant improvement from
the previous monitoring year, in which the Company was prosecuted for the
discharge of objectionable odour.
2.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Tables 7 to Table 11.

Table 7 Summary of performance for Consent 0108-3 to discharge treated mean processing
wastes from Stratford abattoir oxidation ponds (currently under renewal application)
32
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Limits of BOD5 in the Kahouri St Water chemical sampling No
2. Limits of NH3 in the Kahouri St Water chemical sampling Yes
3. Adverse effects in Kahouri
Stream d/s of mixing zone
N/A = not applicable
Water chemical sampling and biological monitoring No
Table 8 Summary of performance for Consent 4055-2 to discharge emissions to air
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections No
2. Minimise emissions through
appropriate equipment and
processes
3. No objectionable odours or
droplet deposition past site
boundary
4. Engineers report for adequate
emission abatement works,
processes and equipment
5. Nominate a suitably trained
agent if consent holder is absent
Inspections; incident investigation No
Inspections; odour surveys No
Request certification; (No requests this year) N/A
Inspections Yes
6. Contingency plan Receipt and review by Council No
7. Operations and Maintenance
Plan
8. Requires compliance with
contingency and operations and
maintenance plans
9. Notify Council if altering plant,
operations or processes
Receipt and review by Council Yes
Inspections, incident investigation No
Receipt of notification by Council, inspections Yes
10. Defines information to be logged Request by Council for data Yes
11. Defines soft offal quality and
processing requirements from
purpose killed animals
12. Defines hard offal quality and
processing requirements from
purpose killed animals
Inspections, incident investigations Yes
Inspections, incident investigations Yes
13. No fish parts on premises Inspections, incident investigations Yes

33
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
14. Raw material quality and
processing requirements from
non-purpose killed animals
15. Rendering of any other materials
requires specific approval by
Council
16. Condenser operational
requirements – temperature
17. Bio-filter operational
requirements
18. Vapour lines must be free of
leaks
Inspections, incident investigations Yes
Request for approval (none during year) N/A
Data from condenser, inspections Yes
Data from condenser, inspections No
Inspections No
19. Cleaning requirements Inspections Yes
20. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
21. Discharge of waste to land shall
not result in surface ponding
N/A = not applicable
Inspections Yes
Table 9 Summary of performance for Consent 5176-1 to take water from tributary of Kahouri
Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections Yes
2. Defines volume and rate of
abstraction
Data forwarded to Council on request Yes
3. Maintain records of abstraction Data forwarded to Council on request Yes
4. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
Table 10 Summary of performance for Consent 5221-1 to discharge excess waste from number 1
pond onto land
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections Yes
2. Effluent shall only be sprayed on
property where derived
3. Retain 1/3 of total wastes in
anaerobic pond
4. No discharge of pond wastes
directly to water
Inspections; incident investigation Yes
Inspections; Yes
Inspections Yes

34
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
5. No disposal of wastes within
certain distance from dwelling or
road
6. Discharge shall not result in
surface ponding
7. Discharge shall not cause
emission of objectionable odours
beyond property boundary
8. Procedure if wastes are
discharged to water
Inspections Yes
Inspections Yes
Inspections; incident investigation Yes
Not exercised N/A
9. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
Table 11 Summary of performance for Consent 6570-1 to discharge degenerating raw product
onto or into land – Not exercised during reported period
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections N/A
2. Exercise of consent shall be
undertaken in accordance with
application documentation
3. Notify Council prior to exercise of
consent
4. Notify Council in advance of
burials
5. Waste burial management plan
to Council by June 2005
6. Only raw degenerating material
shall be disposed of to burial pit
7. Raw degenerating material only
discharged in an emergency
8. Discharge shall not lead to
contaminants entering surface
water body
9. No adverse effects on
groundwater
10. Records of quantities, types,
dates of discharges
Inspections N/A
Council notified N/A
Council notified N/A
Most matters detailed in contingency plan, received in
September 2005
Yes
Notification to Council, inspections N/A
Notification to Council, inspections N/A
Inspections N/A
Inspections N/A
Request by Council for data N/A
11. Discharge covered in 4 hours Inspections N/A
12. Defines cover requirements at
end of disposal
Inspections N/A

35
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
13. Cover material contoured to
direct stormwater away
14. Disposal area shall be
rehabilitated
Inspections N/A
Inspections N/A
15. Lapsed period Consent exercised within lapse period N/A
16. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a poor level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were 5 unauthorised incidents, all of which related to air emissions. 1 of
the incidents was considered to cause objectionable odours outside the site boundary
and had significant effects on neighbouring properties downwind of the plant. This
incident resulted in the issuance of an infringement notice, and it is this that has
pushed the compliance rating from ‘improvement desirable’ to ‘poor’, and therefore
no apparent improvement from the previous few years.
What this doesn’t acknowledge however, is the significant improvement achieved on
site during the preceding one and a half years. This is best illustrated by the 80%
reduction in incidents recorded against the site, when compared with the previous
monitoring period.
The wastewater treatment ponds continue to perform poorly, and during the
monitoring year under review, the discharge from this system has resulted in raised
levels of BOD5 and nutrients in the Kahouri Stream. These changes in water quality
are likely to have been the primary factor in the changes recorded in the biological
survey. This survey found a significant decrease in MCI and SQMCIS scores
downstream of the confluence with the abattoir tributary. This is likely to be due to
the impacts from the abattoir (rather than the Ballance Agri Nutrients site), but this is
unclear without further monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional
sites be included in subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge
on this unnamed tributary. Nevertheless, it is also suggested that the consent holder
continues further investigations into improving this treatment system to ensure the
wastewater is treated effectively.
The new consent 6570 to bury raw degenerating material to land in emergency
situations requires a waste burial management plan to be submitted to the Council
by June 2005 (special condition 5). Although there are details of the requirements of
this consent in the contingency plan provided by the Company, this does not address
all the matters defined in special condition 5 of consent 6570. The contingency plan
should be reviewed to include all requirements of the Waste Burial Management
Plan.
2.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:

36
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Taranaki Abattoir Company (1992)
Limited in the 2006-2007 year increases to 5 inspections. The Escort temperature
monitoring of the biofilter is to be reinstated if the Company’s system proves to
be inaccurate or otherwise unreliable. Further inspections may be conducted if
performance in relation to air emissions does not improve.
2. THAT monitoring of discharges to land and water from Taranaki Abattoir
Company (1992) Limited in the 2006-2007 year continues at the same level as in
the 2005-2006 year, except for inspections, which are to be increased by one, to a
total of five.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
2.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Taranaki Abattoir Company (1992) Limited, the programme for 2006-
2007 was altered slightly from that for 2005-2006. It is now proposed that for 2007-
2008, an additional two macroinvertebrate samples are included in the biological
survey. This is to assess the impact that the discharge is having in the unnamed
tributary (the abattoir tributary) and to assess whether the impact on the Kahouri
Stream is indeed due to the wastewater discharge. A recommendation to this effect is
attached to this report.
2.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
Resource consent 6570 provides for an optional review of the consent in June 2008.
Condition 16 allows the Council to review the consent, if there are grounds that the
conditions are inadequate to deal with any adverse effects on the environment
arising from the exercise of this resource consent, which were either not foreseen at
the time of the application was considered or which it was not appropriate to deal
with at the time.
Based on the results of monitoring in the year under review, it is considered that
there are no grounds that require a review to be pursued.
A recommendation to this effect is presented in Section 2.7 of this report.

2.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Taranaki Abattoir Company (1992)
Limited in the 2007-2008 year continues at the same level as in the 2006-2007
year.
37
2. THAT monitoring of discharges to land and water from Taranaki Abattoir
Company (1992) Limited in the 2007-2008 year continues at the same level as in
the 2006-2007 year, except for the biological survey, which is to increase to nine
sites, incorporating the abattoir tributary.
3. THAT the option for a review of resource consent 6570 in June 2008, as set out in
condition 16 of the consent, not be exercised, on the grounds that the conditions
are considered adequate to cover the exercise of this consent.

3. Taranaki Galvanizers
3.1 Process description
38
The galvanising plant of Taranaki Galvanizers is situated at the corner of State
Highway 3 and Monmouth Road, about 1 km north of Stratford. The plant was
owned and operated by Union Galvanizers 1995 Limited until September 1998, at
which time that company ceased operating. The plant remained idle until May 1999,
when Taranaki Galvanizers (2003) Ltd took it over. During the reported period
ownership changed once again, to Taranaki Galvanizers Limited.
A hot-dip galvanising process is used. Under Union Galvanizers, operations
consisted of stripping/degreasing steel articles in hot sodium hydroxide/water, a
water rinse, a cold hydrochloric acid wash, a water rinse, pre-fluxing with zinc
ammonium chloride, then hot-dipping in molten zinc. There is a separate galvanising
stripping tank containing hydrochloric acid/water for articles that have previously
been galvanised.
The galvanising process employed by Taranaki Galvanizers is essentially the same as
before. Minor changes have been made to improve product quality such as greater
heating of the caustic degrease solution (with gas). Particular care is taken to ensure
that flux solution dries on articles before they are dipped into the zinc kettle. This
minimises fume generation and sputtering. In the 2003-2004 monitoring period the
Company switched from the hosing of articles after caustic and acid treatment, to
using a rinse tank. This resulted in a decrease in the volumes going to the trade
waste tanks.
Both dilute and strong liquid process wastes are produced. These are treated and
disposed of separately. Dilute wastes from rinsing of articles in the galvanising
process, condensation in steam-jacketed vessels, and floor washing are collected in a
series of concrete tanks set within a concrete bunded area. The stormwater collected
inside the bund is also pumped into the tanks. The tanks are used to pH neutralise
and settle the wastewaters. The treated wastewater is then transported by road
tanker from the galvanising plant to Stratford oxidation ponds after testing for zinc
and pH under the supervision of the Stratford District Council.
Site stormwater discharges to an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream.
Stormwater from the roof catchment is stored and utilised as process makeup, and is
not discharged under the stormwater discharge permit unless this tank overflows.
Strong wastes (comprising spent caustic cleaning and acid pickling liquors) are
rarely stored on site. Plastic tanks situated in a bunded area lined with acid/caustic
resistant resin are utilised entirely for emergency storage and have not been required
for this purpose since 1995.
The Kahouri Stream tributary originally began in the area where the galvanising site
is situated and is now culverted from its origin to where it appears on the other side
of SH3. The tributary downstream of the galvanising plant has been monitored
regularly since it was discovered that spent acid containing a high concentration of
zinc was disposed of in a bore on the galvanising plant site in mid-1987. Zinc leached
through the ground and appeared in the drain, which runs under the galvanising

39
plant site from Monmouth Road. The then Regional Water Board decided to monitor
the drain regularly and only take action if danger to biota of the Kahouri Stream was
imminent, rather than dig the area up and risk the release of a large amount of zinc
into the Kahouri system. The zinc concentration in the drain appeared to be
decreasing exponentially.
Figure 12 Taranaki Galvanizers site layout
3.2 Resource consents
3.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Taranaki Galvanisers holds water discharge permit 4657 to cover discharge up to 260
litres per second of stormwater from a galvanising plant premises to an unnamed
tributary of the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional
Council on 20 June 1995 under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It
expires on 1 June 2010.
Special conditions 1 and 2 specify contaminants and limits for the discharge effluent.
Special condition 3 requires a stormwater management plan to be submitted to the
Council, detailing measures to be minimise contamination of stormwater during
spillages.

Special condition 4 defines the mixing zone and limits on adverse effects in the
receiving waters, and condition 5 is a review condition.
40
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
3.2.2 Air discharge permit
Section 15(1)(c) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant from any industrial or trade premises into air, unless the
activity is expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by
national regulations.
Taranaki Galvanizers holds air discharge permit 4064 to cover the discharge
emissions to the air from the operation of a hot dip galvanising plant and associated
processes. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 20 June 1995
under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It is due to expire on 1 June
2010.
Special condition 1 requires the consent holder to adopt the best practicable option.
Special condition 2 requires that offensive or objectionable odours or dangerous
fumes or odours shall not pass the property boundary.
Special conditions 3 and 4 define the processes that should be used in galvanising
and cleanliness requirements to minimise adverse effects.
Special condition 5 requires the consent holder to notify the Council when
undertaking any alteration to the plant, operations or processes which may
significantly change the nature or quantity of contaminants discharged to air from
the site.
Special condition 6 is a review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
3.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Taranaki Galvanisers consisted of three primary
components in addition to programme liaison and management.
3.3.1 Site inspections
The galvanising site was visited two times during the monitoring period for routine
site inspections. With regard to consents for the discharge to water, the main points
of interest were plant processes with potential or actual discharges to receiving
watercourses, including contaminated stormwater and process wastewaters. Air
inspections focused on plant processes with associated actual and potential emission
sources and characteristics, including potential odour, dust, noxious or offensive
emissions. The neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.

3.3.2 Chemical sampling
41
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of both the discharge from the
site (site 4b, Figure 1) and the water quality in the unnamed tributary downstream of
the discharge point and mixing zone (site 4, Figure 1).
The galvaniser stormwater discharge (site 4b) was not sampled in the reported
period, as the pipe was not discharging. The tributary (drain) below the galvanisers
discharge was sampled twice; with the samples analysed for conductivity, pH, water
temperature and zinc (dissolved). The tributary was sampled once in conjunction
with the low flow survey of the Kahouri Stream catchment and the samples were
analysed for the additional parameters turbidity and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N)
(Table 2). The low flow survey monitors discharges from several industries and the
receiving water.
3.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Taranaki Galvanizers discharge, site D (in the tributary of the Kahouri Stream), and
in the Kahouri Stream, sites C (50 m downstream of the tributary that receives the
abattoir discharge) and E (at Flint Road bridge) were used to assess the effects of the
discharge on the biological communities of the stream.
3.4 Results
3.4.1 Water
3.4.1.1 Inspections
Two routine inspections of the Taranaki Galvanizers site were conducted during the
2006-2007 monitoring year. Inspections focus on stormwater and wastewater
management at the site as well as air emissions from the site. Effluent sampling was
undertaken in combination with the site inspections.
The first inspection was conducted on 14 December 2006. The out side area was very
tidy, with no chemicals or contaminants noted. The waste water was contained at the
rear of site, and is removed when necessary. Odours were noted at the door to the
main building, but there were no visible emissions.
On 28 June 2007 a second inspection of the site was undertaken. General activities
were occurring on site. All waste water was being collected, and there was adequate
storage available. There were noticeable odours present directly alongside building,
near the doors, with visible emissions from the extractor fan on the western side.
However, there were no noticeable effects offsite.
3.4.1.2 Results of water discharge monitoring
The roadside drain below Taranaki Galvanizers has been piped with two manholes
in the flow path. There is a yellow ‘Novaflow’ pipe drain that previously exited
adjacent to the Kahouri Stream tributary where it emerged at the road from

42
underneath the galvanising plant site. This underground ‘yellow pipe’ was originally
installed to drain spring water from the site of a tank for treatment/storage of dilute
galvanising wastewaters. The yellow pipe continues to drain that area, and also the
outside of the bunds for the new dilute wastewater treatment/storage area.
Two flows enter the manhole directly below the Taranaki Galvanizers site. Entering
the base is the flow equivalent to the ‘above’ samples described in Table 12. The
yellow pipe also feeds into this manhole (IND005014). Samples described as ‘below’
would be equivalent to samples taken either from the sump of the first manhole or at
the second manhole, close to the entrance to the Taranaki Steelformers site, where
discharges from the novaflow pipe and flow from upstream of Taranaki Galvanizers
(Monmouth Road drainage) are included in the sample.
No sample of the stormwater discharge (‘yellow pipe’) from Taranaki Galvanisers
was taken during the monitoring year as the pipe was not discharging. Therefore,
results from monitoring of this pipe are not discussed in this report. The tributary
(also referred to as a road side drain) was sampled on two occasions during the 2006-
2007 monitoring year and results of this monitoring are discussed in the receiving
water section (3.4.1.3).
3.4.1.3 Results of receiving water monitoring
Water chemistry
The tributary (also previously referred to as a road side drain) was sampled on two
occasions during the 2006-2007 monitoring year. One of these samples was
conducted in conjunction with the low flow survey in the Kahouri Stream and
included two additional parameters. The results of these samples are given in Table
12 below.
Table 12 Results of chemical monitoring of unnamed tributary of Kahouri Stream below Taranaki
Galvanisers
Date
Sampling
location
relative to
yellow pipe
Temp
(°C)
KHI000358 d/s Taranaki Galvanizers (site 4)
Cond @
20°C
(mS/m)
pH
Acid Soluble
Zinc
(g/m 3 )
Dissolved
Zinc
(g/m 3 )
Ammoniacal-
N
(g/m 3 N)
Ammonia
NH3
14-Dec-2006 Below - 11.0 6.4 - 0.272 0.839 - -
18-Apr-2007 Above 13.6 11.2 6.4 0.420 0.392 1.63 0.0012 150
No of samples 33 59 62 29 12 25 4 10
Maximum 16.8 111 7.2 1.91 1.0 68 0.0009 190
Minimum 11.6 7.3 5.8 0.43 0.078 0.877 0.0018 2.10
Median 13.3 14.8. 6.4 0.89 0.702 1.630 0.0015 14
KHI000369 tributary above Kahouri Confluence (site 6)
18-04-2007 11.9 11.9 7.4

Date
ANZECC
guideline
USEPA
guideline
Sampling
location
relative to
yellow pipe
Protection
95%
90%
Temp
(°C)
Cond @
20°C
(mS/m)
43
pH
Acid Soluble
Zinc
(g/m 3 )
- - - -
*at hardness of 30 g/m 3 CaCO3; ** at hardness of 25 g/m 3 CaCO3
Dissolved
Zinc
(g/m 3 )
0.008*
0.015*
Ammoniacal-
N
(g/m 3 N)
Ammonia
NH3
(g/m 3 )
Turb
(NTU)
2.49 - -
- - - 0.033** - - -
The dissolved zinc concentration in the tributary below Taranaki Galvanizers was
below the median of values recorded at this site to date on both sampling occasions.
All samples were taken when the yellow novaflow pipe was not discharging, and
therefore indicated background concentrations.
Historically, zinc concentrations generally decreased during the 1990’s, but appear to
have remained relatively constant since then, varying between the detection limit of
0.005 g/m 3 and 1 g/m 3 (Figure 13).
Zinc (g/m 3 )
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Jan-88
Zinc concentrations in tributary d/s of Taranaki
Galvanizers KHI000358
Jan-90
Jan-92
Jan-94
Jan-96
Jan-98
Jan-00
Jan-02
Zinc Acid Soluble Zinc Dissolved
Jan-04
Jan-06
Figure 13 Zinc concentrations in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream downstream of the Taranaki
Galvanizers site (includes both above and below sites)
Both ammoniacal nitrogen and conductivity in the tributary have shown a general
decreasing trend over time (Figure 14 and Figure 15). The ammoniacal nitrogen
concentration in the samples collected during the 2006-2007 monitoring year were
equal to or below the median of values from the 25 samples collected previously,
continuing the trend of recent years. Conductivity has generally been stable since
1996, with 2006-2007 results remaining below the median of previous samples
collected to date (Figure 15 and Table 12). In general, water quality within the mixing
zone of the galvanizers discharge appears to be improving.

NH 4 -N (g/m 3 )
44
Ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations in tributary d/s of
Taranaki Galvanizers KHI000358
5
4
3
2
1
0
Jan-88
Jan-90
Jan-92
Jan-94
Jan-96
Jan-98
Jan-00
Jan-02
Note: outlier
removed (68,Oct 91)
Jan-04
Jan-06
Figure 14 Ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream downstream of
Taranaki Galvanizers site (includes both above and below sites)
Conductivity @ 20 o C (mS/m)
50
40
30
20
10
0
Jan-88
Jan-90
Conductivity in tributary d/s of Taranaki
Galvanizers KHI000358
Jan-92
Jan-94
Jan-96
Jan-98
Jan-00
Jan-02
Note: 2 outliers removed
(111 & 66.4, Oct 91)
Jan-04
Jan-06
Figure 15 Conductivity in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream downstream of Taranaki Galvanizers
site (includes both above and below sites)
The dissolved zinc concentration in the tributary a further 1.9 km downstream, just
above its confluence with the Kahouri Stream (site 6, Figure 1), was measured at
below the minimum detectable limit of 0.005 g/m 3 during the low-flow survey of 18
April 2007 (KHI000369, Table 12). The concentration was well below the zinc
concentration criterion of 0.033 g/m 3 set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) for the protection of freshwater aquatic life in water of
hardness similar to the Kahouri Stream (25 g/m 3 CaCO3) and the Australia New
Zealand guideline (ANZECC) of 0.008 g/m 3 for 95% protection of aquatic

45
ecosystems at similar hardness (30 g/m 3 CaCO3) (Figure 16 and Table 12). Elevated
zinc levels have been recorded at this site in the past (Figure 16) but have been below
guideline values since 1999.
Zinc (g/m 3 )
0.035
0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
Zinc concentrations in tributary of Kahouri Stream
upstream of Kahouri confluence (KHI000369)
Jun-91
Jun-92
Jun-93
Jun-94
Jun-95
Jun-96
Jun-97
Jun-98
Jun-99
Jun-00
Jun-01
Jun-02
Jun-03
Jun-04
Jun-05
Jun-06
Zinc - acid soluble Zinc - dissolved ANZECC USEPA
Figure 16 Zinc concentrations in tributary upstream of confluence with Kahouri Stream
Biological survey
A macroinvertebrate sample was collected from site D (Figure 1) in the tributary 800
m downstream of Taranaki Galvanizers on 17 April 2007. The sample was sorted and
identified to provide the number of taxa (richness), MCI and SQMCIS scores for each
site.
The MCI is a measure of the overall sensitivity of the macroinvertebrate community
to the effects of organic pollution in stony streams. It is based on the
presence/absence of taxa with varying degrees of sensitivity to environmental
conditions. It may be used in soft-bottomed streams to detect trends over time. The
SQMCIS takes into account taxa abundance as well as sensitivity to pollution, and
may reveal more subtle changes in communities, particularly if non-organic impacts
are occurring. Significant differences in either MCI or SQMCIS between sites indicate
the degree of adverse effects (if any) of discharges being monitored.
The stream at this site had a cloudy flow, with substrate comprising hard clay and
tree roots. Prior to the survey there was a reasonable period of flow recession, being
93 days since a flood in excess of 3 times median flow had occurred.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay
substrate, but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had
relatively high MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from
discharges in the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which
includes discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth
Industries.
A full biological report is given in Appendix II.

3.4.2 Air
46
Air monitoring in the 2006-2007 monitoring period comprised of visual inspections.
Deposition gauging is carried out on a biennial basis and was not conducted during
the monitoring year under review. This is to be conducted in the 2007-2008
monitoring period.
At the time of both inspections (14 December 2006 and 28 June 2007) there were no
off-site odours. Visible aerial emissions were observed during the June 2007
inspection but did not cause odours offsite.
3.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident, (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that were
associated with Taranaki Galvanizers.
3.6 Discussion
3.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
During the monitoring year under review, the performance of the Taranaki
Galvanizers site has been good.
Fumes can be generated during the galvanising process on occasions. It is recognised
that working conditions within the building may necessitate ventilation requiring
that doors be kept open, and that the exhausting of fumes has not been demonstrated
to lead to significant off-site environmental effects. The incident of fume generation
has reduced since the plant was taken over by Taranaki Galvanizers.
The stormwater catchment was generally kept clear of contaminants throughout the
year, and wastewater was adequately bunded and managed well.
3.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Stormwater discharges from the site were monitored during the year and effects on
the unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream assessed. Water chemistry monitoring
indicated that elevated zinc levels were continuing to occur in the stormwater (and
leachate) discharge from the galvanising site, as a result of historical disposal of
spent acid to a bore on the property. However, trends in zinc levels over time
indicate that concentrations of zinc are continuing to drop, as the pH of the discharge

neutralises. Zinc concentrations from samples taken in 2006-2007 were below the
median of historical concentrations recorded from this discharge.
47
Monitoring of the tributary a further 1.9 km downstream, at its confluence with the
Kahouri Stream, showed a zinc concentration below the detection limit of 0.005 g/m 3
in the low flow survey conducted in April 2007. This was well below the criterion of
0.033 g/m 3 set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the
protection of freshwater aquatic life in water of hardness similar to the Kahouri
Stream. It was also below the Australia New Zealand (ANZECC) guideline of 0.008
g/m 3 which provides 95% protection of aquatic communities in water of similar
hardness.
In conjunction with the water chemistry monitoring, biological monitoring was
undertaken in the tributary 800 m downstream of the Taranaki Galvanizer’s
stormwater discharge. The macroinvertebrate community found in this April 2007
survey indicated no significant adverse effects from discharges to the tributary from
the Stratford industrial area which included discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers.
Air quality monitoring was undertaken during inspections of the site on two
occasions, and although some visual emissions were observed at the site, no adverse
effects including offensive or dangerous odours were noted outside the site
boundary. Biennial monitoring of air quality using deposition gauges was not
undertaken during the reported period. Further deposition gauging is scheduled for
the 2007-2008 monitoring year.
3.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 13 and Table 14.
Table 13 Summary of performance for Consent 4064-2 to discharge emissions into air from the
operation of a hot dip galvanising plant
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections Yes
2. Discharge shall not result in
offensive odours beyond site
boundary
3. Requires galvanising process to
be dry flux as far as practicable
4. All items to be dry flux galvanised
shall be clean and dry before hot
dipping
5. No alterations to plant or
processes which may change
nature of emissions
Inspections Yes
Inspections; Records from company Yes
Inspections Yes
Notify Council (no notification) N/A
6. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable

48
Table 14 Summary of performance for Consent 4657-1 to discharge stormwater from galvanising
plant premises into an unnamed tributary of Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. No discharge of contaminants
other than those in special
condition 2
2. Defines discharge contaminant
limits
Water quality monitoring Yes
Water quality monitoring;
*Zinc above limit – related to historical disposal at this
site.
3. Stormwater management plan Receipt and review by Council Yes
4. Defines no adverse effects on
receiving water after reasonable
mixing
No*
Water quality and biological monitoring Yes
5. Optional review of consent Not exercised Yes
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were two inspections conducted, which indicated that site stormwater
and wastewater were well managed, and operations were undertaken in a manner
that minimises environmental effects.
It is noted that the factory is located in a rural area and is isolated from residences or
other commercial premises. Accordingly, there is no evidence of aerial emissions
from galvanising activities causing adverse effects off-site.
Leachate discharged from the site, as a result of past activities, to a small subtributary
of the Kahouri Stream continues to show measurable concentrations of
zinc, however trends over time suggest that zinc levels are continuing to decrease as
pH of the leachate improves. Despite the elevated zinc, the level of dissolved zinc
was below the detection limit in the stormwater tributary above the confluence with
the Kahouri Stream (TRC site code KHI0000369) and well below the United States
Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic
life in water of hardness similar to the Kahouri Stream (25 g/m 3 CaCO3), and below
the Australia New Zealand (ANZECC) guidelines for 95% protection of aquatic
communities. No adverse effect of the discharge was found in the tributary
downstream, on the basis of chemical monitoring or biomonitoring in conjunction
with other activities in the Stratford industrial area at the headwaters of the
unnamed tributary system.
3.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-2006,
including the provision for air deposition gauge monitoring conducted
biennially.

2. THAT monitoring of discharges from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-2006.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
3.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
49
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Taranaki Galvanizers, the programme for 2006-2007 was unchanged
from that for 2005-2006. It is now proposed that for 2007-2008, that this programme
be continued without alteration, noting that air monitoring which is conducted
biennially will be undertaken in the 2007-2008 monitoring year. A recommendation
to this effect is attached to this report.
3.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
3.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007,
including the provision for air deposition gauge monitoring conducted
biennially.
2. THAT monitoring of discharges from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

4. Egmont Tanneries Limited
4.1 Process description
50
The tannery is situated beside a major tributary of the Kahouri Stream about 0.5 km
north of Stratford. When fully operational, the tannery processed hides and skins,
mainly woolly sheepskins. Wastes from the tannery have in the past been pumped to
the Stratford sewerage system. Rainwater from the roofs of the buildings at the
tannery is collected and was used in processing. Stormwater from around the site is
collected in a drainage system and discharged via a pipe to an unnamed tributary of
the Kahouri Stream.
Offensive odours from the tannery have in the past been reported from the
municipal sewer system on Broadway North in Stratford. Egmont Tanneries has
undertaken two actions to reduce such odour. First, the bleach solution that is the
apparent source of the odour is now used to pre-wash skins after bleaching
capability has been lost, thus ensuring that it is totally spent before discharge.
Secondly, the pipeline between the effluent holding tanks and the sewer is allowed
to drain back into the holding tanks when it is not in use, thereby preventing smell
formation within the line. These measures have been successful, and no complaints
about odour have been received by the Council since December 1997.
In June 2005, the Company notified the Council that they were no longer operating
as a tannery, and were now only receiving hides, which were placed directly into
water tight bins and sent to Hastings for tanning. No killing or skinning occurs on
site. As a result no wastewater is generated.
Figure 17 Egmont Tanneries site layout

4.2 Resource consents
4.2.1 Water abstraction permit
51
Section 14 of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may take, use,
dam or divert any water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by a resource
consent or a rule in a regional plan, or it falls within some particular categories set
out in Section 14.
Egmont Tanneries holds water permit 5176 to cover the abstraction of 150 m 3/day (7
litres per second maximum) of water from an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri
Stream for hide tanning operations. This consent was granted in September 1992
under Section 87(d) of the Resource Management Act. This permit is due to expire on
1 June 2010.
Two special conditions are attached to the consent. The special conditions require
that the abstraction shall not exceed a percentage of a defined low flow, and that the
consent holder may be requested to supply records of water usage to the Council.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
4.2.2 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Egmont Tanneries holds water discharge permit 1816 to cover the discharge of up to
150 litres per second of stormwater from a tannery site into an unnamed tributary of
the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 17
December 1997 under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It expires on 1
June 2016.
Special conditions 1 and 2 specify limits for the discharge and that beyond a discharge
mixing zone of 50 metres, the discharge shall not give rise to effects on the Kahouri
Stream.
Special condition 3 is a review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
4.2.3 Air discharge permit
Section 15(1)(c) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant from any industrial or trade premises into air, unless the
activity is expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by
national regulations.
Egmont Tanneries holds air discharge permit 4238 to cover the discharge emissions
to the air from the skinning of animals, the tanning, storage and dressing of animal
skins and the manufacture and sale of finished leather and animal skin goods. This

permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 28 January 2004 under
Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It is due to expire on 1 June 2016.
52
There are 17 special conditions attached to this consent.
Special condition 1 requires the consent holder to adopt the best practicable option.
Special conditions 2 and 3 relate to offensive odours which are not to occur beyond
the site boundary.
Special condition 4 states that the consent shall be undertaken in accordance with
documentation submitted with the application.
Special condition 5 defines emissions from activities excluded from this consent.
Special conditions 6 to 10 provide conditions for the management and condition of
animals received on site and defines conditions for removal from site.
Special conditions 11 and 12 require the consent holder to provide an operations and
maintenance manual to the Taranaki Regional Council.
Special condition 13 defines pH limits in the effluent holding tanks, and 14 and 15
provide for maintenance of buildings and storage of organic solvent-based
degreasing processes.
Special condition 16 requires the consent holder to provide a written agreement for
the reception of skinned carcasses from the tannery, and the last condition is a
consent review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
4.2.4 Discharges of wastes to land
Sections 15(1)(b) and (d) of the Resource Management Act stipulate that no person
may discharge any contaminant onto land if it may then enter water, or from any
industrial or trade premises onto land under any circumstances, unless the activity is
expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by national
regulations.
Egmont Tanneries holds discharge permit 5708 to cover the discharge of animal
material from tannery operations by burial into land. This permit was issued by the
Taranaki Regional Council on 1 May 2001 under Section 87(e) of the Resource
Management Act. It is due to expire on 1 June 2016.
Special conditions 1, 2 and 3 define disposal in relation to ground and surface water.
Special conditions 4 and 5 relate to covering of waste on a temporary and permanent
basis. Records of disposal are required to be kept by special condition 6 and the last
condition is a review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.

4.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Egmont Tanneries consisted of three primary
components in addition to programme liaison and management.
4.3.1 Site inspections
53
The tannery site was visited once during the monitoring period for routine site
inspections. With regard to consents for the abstraction of or discharge to water, the
main points of interest were plant processes with potential or actual discharges to
receiving watercourses, including contaminated stormwater and process
wastewaters. Air inspections focused on plant processes with associated actual and
potential emission sources and characteristics, including potential odour, dust,
noxious or offensive emissions. The neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental
effects.
4.3.2 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of both the discharges from the
site (site 5, Figure 1) and the water quality downstream of the discharge point and
mixing zone (site 6, Figure 1).
The effluent tanks were sampled on one occasion to determine potential for odour,
and the sample analysed for pH and sulphide. The discharge from the stormwater
pipe was sampled on one occasion, and the samples analysed for conductivity, pH,
chromium and zinc. This sampling was conducted in conjunction with the low flow
survey of the receiving water and included the parameter turbidity. The low flow
survey included sampling of discharges from several industries, together with six
sites in the Kahouri receiving waters. The samples analysed for those parameters are
listed in Table 2.
4.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Egmont Tanneries discharge, site D (in the tributary of the Kahouri Stream
downstream of the tannery discharge) was used to assess the effects of the discharge
on the biological communities of the stream.
4.4 Results
4.4.1 Water
4.4.1.1 Inspections
One compliance monitoring inspection of the Egmont Tanneries site was conducted
during the 2006-2007 monitoring year. Inspections focused on the waste treatment
and disposal systems, and stormwater management, as well as potential sources of
odour. Where appropriate, effluent sampling was undertaken in combination with
the site inspections.

54
An additional inspection was undertaken in response to an odour complaint on 11
November 2006. The wind conditions were a moderate westerly, and an ambient
odour survey down wind of property on boundary found light intermittent
"sulphide" type odours. On site, staff outlined that de-hairing of possums skins had
been taking place over the few 3-4 days. The process included the soaking of the
skins in lime/sulphide solution. Staff also outlined that as a result of recent rainfall
any odours found offsite may be due to a pig sty to the rear of the main building,
which contained two or three sows and a small number of weaner pigs. The area was
routinely cleaned, however odours increased during rain events. Although some
point sources were present onsite the odours offsite were not found to be
objectionable.
The compliance monitoring inspection was conducted on 14 December 2006. It was
found that all wastewater is directed to the final sump, where it is used to wash areas
down. However, during the inspection it was found to be entering an alkathene pipe
that discharged to the large freshwater pond. The consent holder was advised that
this was to cease immediately, as it was not a consented activity. A pit located in the
paddock to the rear of the site contained some offal, but this practice had since
stopped. The stormwater area looked clear, with no chemicals stored outside.
4.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring
The results of chemical monitoring of the discharge from Egmont Tanneries'
stormwater drain for 2006-2007 year are presented in Table 15. The results of
previous years' monitoring are summarised for comparison.
Table 15 Results of Egmont Tanneries stormwater discharge monitoring during the 2006-2007
monitoring year, with summary of previous monitoring data. TRC site code STW001022
Date
Temperature
(°C)
Cond
(mS/m)
pH
Acid soluble
Chromium
(g/m3 )
Acid soluble
Zinc
(g/m3 )
Dissolved
Zinc
(g/m3 )
18-Apr-07 13.1 22 6.8 - - 0.06 -
Turbidity *
(NTU)
N 32 43 42 35 29 8 16
Maximum 17.7 12900 7.3 0.41 0.17 0.982 8.7
Minimum 9.9 14.5 1.0

55
acid soluble zinc concentration of 0.127 (g/m 3) and a dissolved zinc concentration of
0.126 (g/m 3), both well above their respective medians. This high zinc content is due
to a historical event, where Taranaki Galvanisers waste was disposed of at the
tannery site.
Zinc (g/m3)
Zinc concentrations in Egmont Tanneries stormwater
discharge (STW001022)
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
Oct-91
Oct-92
Oct-93
Oct-94
Oct-95
Oct-96
Oct-97
Oct-98
Oct-99
Oct-00
Oct-01
Oct-02
Oct-03
Oct-04
Oct-05
Oct-06
Zinc (acid soluble) Zinc (dissolved) Zinc (total)
Figure 18 Zinc concentrations in the Egmont Tanneries stormwater discharge
4.4.1.3 Results of receiving environment monitoring
Consent condition 1 in resource consent 1816 states that after a mixing zone of 50m
the discharge shall not give rise to the following effects in the receiving Kahouri
Stream tributary:
i) the production of any conspicuous oil or grease films, scums or foams, or floatable
or suspended materials;
ii) any conspicuous change in colour or visual clarity;
iii) any emission of objectionable odour;
iv) the rendering of freshwater unsuitable for consumption by farm animals; and
v) any significant effects on aquatic life.
Water chemistry and biological monitoring were conducted to assess compliance
with the above.
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007 during fine weather. The results for all sites in the 2007 survey are
presented in Table 4 (refer to section 2.4.2.2). One chemical monitoring site is located
in the receiving waters downstream of the Egmont Tanneries discharge (site 6,
KHI000369), which also encompasses discharges from Fletcher Concrete and
Taranaki Galvanizers (Figure 1).

56
Table 16 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
in relation to Egmont Tanneries, 18 April 2007 (TRC site code KHI000369)
Date
Temp
(°C)
Cond @
20°C
(mS/m)
pH
Acid soluble
Chromium
(g/m 3 )
Dissolved
Zinc
(g/m 3 )
Ammoniacal-
N
(g/m 3 N)
Ammonia
NH3
(g/m 3 )
SS
(g/m 3 )
18 April 2007 11.9 11.9 7.4

57
The stream at this site had a cloudy flow, with substrate comprising hard clay and
tree roots. Prior to the survey there was a reasonable period of flow recession, being
93 days since a flood in excess of 3 times median flow had occurred.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay
substrate, but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had
relatively high MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from
discharges in the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which
includes discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth
Industries.
A full biological report is given in Appendix II.
4.4.2 Air
4.4.2.1 Results of air monitoring
At the time of each inspection, particular attention was given to odour, and/or any
potential sources of odour, and if necessary, an odour survey was conducted at five
sites in the vicinity of the property. Determination was made of the intensity,
characteristics and possible causes of any odour.
Localised odours were noted on occasions during the inspections of the site.
However no off-site odours were detected on these occasions.
Samples were taken from the last holding tank in the effluent settling tanks during
the compliance monitoring inspection and analysed for pH and sulphide to
determine the potential for odour. Sulphides cause odours that in the past have
penetrated into buildings from the municipal sewerage.
Because hydrogen sulphide is a weak acid, as the pH drops, more sulphide is present
as hydrogen sulphide. This is the form in which it is free to transfer to the
atmosphere as hydrogen sulphide gas, which is odorous. Sulphide concentrations
were low in the sample taken.
4.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).

58
In the 2006-2007 year, there was one incident recorded by the Council that was
associated with Egmont Tanneries. This is detailed in 4.4.1.1, but in short, an odour
complaint was received and investigation did not confirm the presence of offensive
or objectionable odour beyond the boundary.
4.6 Discussion
4.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
In environmental terms, the tannery exercised a good standard of management in
terms of controlling odour emissions. At the times of inspection, although some
localised odours were noted on occasion, areas where there is potential for odour
generation were kept sufficiently clean to avoid the occurrence of noticeable odour at
the site boundary.
There was good management in relation to the burial pits, as they were effectively
disused due to the change in activities at the tannery.
Licensed discharges from the stormwater drain to the Kahouri Stream tributary were
found to be within the conditions on the discharge permit.
Special condition 16 of consent 4238 requires that
“Prior to 1 May of each year, the consent holder shall provide for the Chief
Executive, Taranaki Regional Council, a written agreement for the reception of
skinned carcasses from the tannery. In addition, the consent holder shall provide a
statement of capacity for the reception of skinned carcasses at an alternative site”.
As the tannery is presently not operating, this agreement is not required. However,
should the tannery commence skinning animals, then such an agreement will be
required.
Special condition 11 of consent 4238 requires that:
‘The consent holder shall provide an operations and maintenance manual,
within three months of the granting of this consent, to the satisfaction of the
Chief Executive, Taranaki Regional Council.’
An operations and maintenance manual was received in July 2004 and after a
number of amendments it was accepted as satisfactory on 19 July 2004.
A letter from the Consent holder was received in June 2005 stating that the Company
was no longer operating as a tannery, and as a result, no longer generated any
wastewater. The Company now only receives hides which are stored in water tight
containers and sent to Hastings for tanning.
4.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Chemical sampling of the Kahouri Stream below the Egmont Tanneries discharge
showed levels of zinc below the concentration criteria set by US Environmental
Protection Agency for the protection of aquatic life in waters of the hardness found
in the Kahouri Stream.

59
Results of the biomonitoring survey carried out in the 2006-2007 monitoring period
indicate that there have been no adverse effects resulting from discharges from the
Stratford industrial area that enter the unnamed tributary, which included
discharges from the tannery site.
There was one complaint received by the Council in relation to discharges to air from
Egmont Tanneries, although it was not verified. No objectionable or offensive odours
associated with the tannery were detected at or beyond the boundary at the time of
inspections.
No unauthorised discharges were proven during the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
4.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 17 to Table 20.
Table 17 Summary of performance for Consent 0140-2 to take water from a tributary of the
Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. States conditions in which the
abstraction shall not exceed
Flow data Yes
2. Supply of records of water use Data records Yes
N/A = not applicable
Table 18 Summary of performance for Consent 1816-3 to discharge stormwater from a tannery
site into an unnamed tributary of Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Defines no adverse effects on
receiving water after reasonable
mixing
2. Defines discharge contaminant
limits
Water quality and biological monitoring Yes
Water quality monitoring; Yes
3. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable

Table 19 Summary of performance for Consent 4238-2 to discharge emissions to air from the
tannery
60
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adopt best practicable option Inspections Yes
2. Discharges shall not give rise to
offensive odours off-site
Inspections Yes
3. Definition of offensive odours Inspections; complaints Yes
4. Exercise of consent shall be
undertaken in accordance with
submitted documentation
5. Defines exclusions to this
consent
6. Only slink calves shall be
received
Inspections Yes
Inspections Yes
Inspections Yes
7. Storage of whole animals Inspections Yes
8. All skins or animals shall be
unloaded within tanning building
9. Carcasses shall be kept in
enclosed bins
10. Remove skinned carcases from
site with 24 hours (max 48 hours)
11. Operations and maintenance
manual
12. Operations and maintenance
manual shall form part of this
consent
13. Effluent holding tanks must be
above pH of 9.0
14. Buildings shall remain in good
state of repair
15. Degreasing processes shall be
undertaken in enclosed or
covered vessels
Inspections
Inspections
Inspections
Forward to Council
Inspections
Water quality monitoring; Does not comply but no
odours or off site effects
Inspections
Inspections
16. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes

61
Table 20 Summary of performance for Consent 5708-1 to discharge animal material from tannery
operations into land
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Disposal pits shall not intercept
the water table
Inspections Yes
2. Defines distances from water Inspections Yes
3. Shall not lead to contaminants
entering surface water
Inspections
4. Coverage requirements Inspections Yes
5. Reinstatement requirements Inspections Yes
6. Records of amounts and types of
wastes discharged
Records to Council; none requested
7. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were two inspections conducted, which indicated that contaminants in
the stormwater catchment were generally minimised.
Odours around the site were generally well managed, with localised odours noted
on occasions, but no significant odours detected out side of the site boundary.
4.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Egmont Tanneries in the 2006-2007 year
be reduced to one inspection per year.
2. THAT monitoring of discharges from Egmont Tanneries in the 2006-2007 year be
reduced to one inspection per year.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
4.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
Yes
Yes

62
In the case of Egmont Tanneries, the programme for 2006-2007 was reduced from
two inspections per year to one. Also, sampling of the effluent was reduced to one
sample, as was the sampling of the unnamed tributary. This is a very basic level of
monitoring, and therefore should be maintained at this level for the 2007-2008
monitoring period. A recommendation to this effect is attached to this report.
4.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
4.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Egmont Tanneries in the 2007-2008 year
continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
2. THAT monitoring of discharges from Egmont Tanneries in the 2007-2008 year
continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

5. Transpower NZ Limited
5.1 Process description
63
Transpower NZ Limited owns an electricity sub-station on the southern bank of the
Kahouri Stream, 2km east of Stratford on State Highway 43, for distribution of power
generated at the 360 MW power station of Stratford Power. The sub-station is
operated by Powermark Taranaki Limited. The site is used as a depot for several
firms involved in the electricity industry.
During the period under review, about 19 persons were employed at the complex,
five at the power station and 14 at the sub-station. (The power station was closed
indefinitely in October 1999).
Domestic wastes from the sub-station, and from the premises of the power station,
are treated in seven septic tanks close to source. Effluent from the septic tanks is
piped by gravity to a (4 m 3) central effluent holding tank on the sub-station site. The
tank contents are dosed periodically onto two biological sand filters for polishing
before discharge to the Kahouri Stream. Maintenance of the wastewater treatment
system is sub-contracted by Opus International Consultants to G & C Contracting
who are responsible for changing the discharge pipe over once a week and
maintaining the sand filter beds.
Effluent from the filter beds is discharged directly to the Kahouri Stream. The dosing
cycle typically occurs twice per day. The duration of each discharge is about 20
minutes.
The treatment system is sized for a resident population of twenty-eight and a nonresident
population of 120. The daily dry weather flow is based on an estimated per
capita flow of 240 litres per day for the resident population and 50 litres per day for
the non-residents. The estimated dry weather flow is 12.7 cubic metres per day. The
maximum design discharge volume is estimated at four times the dry weather flow
(50.8 cubic metres per day).
5.2 Resource consents
5.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Transpower NZ Limited holds water discharge permit 1211 to discharge treated
domestic sewage from Stratford Power Substation to the Kahouri Stream. This
permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 17 December 1997 under
Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It expires on 1 June 2016.
The special conditions define the effects that shall not be observed in the Kahouri
Stream below the 50 metre mixing zone, and require that the consent holder shall
only discharge sewage in accordance with documentation submitted in support of
the consent.

5.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Transpower NZ Ltd consisted of three primary
components in addition to programme liaison and management.
5.3.1 Site inspections
64
The Transpower site was visited once during the monitoring period. With regard to
consents for the discharge to wastewater, the main points of interest were plant
processes with potential or actual discharges to receiving watercourses. The
neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.
5.3.2 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of both the discharge from the
sand filters (site 9, Figure 1) and the water quality upstream and downstream of the
discharge point and mixing zone (sites 7 and 10, Figure 1) on one occasion during the
monitoring year in conjunction with the low flow survey.
The sewage discharge (site 9) was analysed for conductivity, pH, turbidity,
suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia, nitrate, dissolved reactive
phosphorus and E. coli bacteria.
The summer low flow survey of water quality in the Kahouri catchment is a shared
survey between several industries. In relation to Transpower NZ Ltd, Sites 7 (Flint
Rd) and 10 (above Piakau confluence) were sampled, and analysed for conductivity,
pH, turbidity, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate, dissolved reactive phosphorus
and E. coli bacteria (Table 2).
5.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Transpower NZ Ltd discharge, site F (in the Kahouri Stream, upstream of the
discharge) and G (in the Kahouri Stream, 80 m downstream of the discharge) were
used to assess the effects of the discharge on the biological communities of the
stream.
5.4 Results
5.4.1 Water
5.4.1.1 Inspections
One inspection of the Transpower NZ Ltd site was conducted during the 2006-2007
monitoring year.
This inspection was conducted on 20 June 2007. It was found that the sand filters
benefit from weeds being sprayed, and the surface being turned over and raked. This

65
would alleviate some of the ponding noted during inspection. The system was found
to be discharging during the inspection.
5.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring
The results of chemical monitoring of the sewage discharge from Transpower NZ
Ltd for 2006-2007 year are presented in Table 21. A summary of the results of
previous years' monitoring are summarised for comparison.
Site
Table 21 Results of Transpower NZ Ltd discharge and related receiving water monitoring on 18
April 2007, with summary of previous monitoring data
BOD
(g/m3) Cond
(mS/m)
DRP
(g/m3 P)
E.coli
(nos/100ml)
FC
(nos/100ml)
NH3
(g/m3 )
NH4
(g/m3 N)
N-N-N
(g/m3 N)
SWG002004 1.1 9.5 0.637 3 3 0.00002 0.022 3.55 6.5

66
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on the same day as the discharge was sampled, on 18 April 2007. Monitoring sites in
the Kahouri Stream were located 2.5 km above the power station, at Flint Road
bridge (site 7, Figure 1), and 1.2 km downstream of the power station, above the
confluence with the Piakau Stream (site 9, Figure 1).
The discharge was not seen to have a significant impact on the water quality of the
receiving waters. For most of the parameters the value measured downstream of the
discharge was less than that measured upstream. The counts of E. coli and faecal
coliforms were lower at the downstream site than upstream site, with water quality
monitoring as a whole showing an improvement over this 3.6 km reach (Table 21).
Biological survey
Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from sites F (upstream of the power
station) and G (80m downstream of the power station discharge) (Figure 1) in the
Kahouri Stream on 17 April 2007. The sample was sorted and identified to provide
the number of taxa (richness), MCI and SQMCIS scores for each site.
The MCI is a measure of the overall sensitivity of the macroinvertebrate community
to the effects of organic pollution in stony streams. It is based on the
presence/absence of taxa with varying degrees of sensitivity to environmental
conditions. It may be used in soft-bottomed streams to detect trends over time. The
SQMCIS takes into account taxa abundance as well as sensitivity to pollution, and
may reveal more subtle changes in communities, particularly if non-organic impacts
are occurring. Significant differences in either MCI or SQMCIS between sites indicate
the degree of adverse effects (if any) of discharges being monitored.
The stream at these sites had a swift, clear and uncoloured flow. The stream bed
material was similar to other sites in the Kahouri Stream sites monitored in this
survey, with stony beds dominated by coarse gravel, cobbles and boulders.
Periphyton mats and filamentous algal growths were patchy at these partially
shaded sites in the lower Kahouri Stream catchment.
Site F, immediately upstream of the Stratford Power Station, had a moderately high
proportion of ‘sensitive’ taxa (62% of total richness), which was reflected in the MCI
score of 96 units, slightly lower than that recorded at site E upstream. This site also
had a relatively high community richness (26) which was similar to the number of
taxa recorded at the nearest upstream site (E).
Partially shaded site G located downstream of the Stratford Power Station discharges
was about 1 km downstream of site F. A community richness of 22 taxa was found at
this site, which generally had similar taxa to those taxa characteristic of upstream
sites’. Few significant differences in individual taxon abundances between adjacent
sites (F and G) were evident, resulting in a very similar SQMCIs value at this site,
compared to site F. The SQMCIs value of 5.4 was significantly higher than both the
median of previous scores at this site and, together with the MCI score, was
indicative of no recent impacts of the power station's discharges on the
macroinvertebrate community of the Kahouri Stream.

67
The MCI and SQMCIs both indicated that there was little significant longitudinal
deterioration of macroinvertebrate communities in the reach of the Kahouri Stream
between sites E, F, and G which is often demonstrated in catchments due to nonpoint
sources of nutrients. This may reflect the generally intact and good quality
riparian vegetation in the Kahouri Stream which may limit effects during extremely
dry years.
A full biological report is given in Appendix II.
5.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the Company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
Company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that were
associated with Transpower NZ Ltd.
5.6 Discussion
5.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
The sewage treatment system was managed and operated in a manner that achieved
compliance with conditions of consent 1211. The site was found to be clean and tidy,
and the sewage treatment system working well, although some maintenance of the
sand filters was required as noted in the one inspection of the site.
The number of persons served by the system is about one eighth of design capacity.
5.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Chemical and biological monitoring detected no adverse effect on the Kahouri
Stream as a result of the discharge of effluent from the sewage treatment system for
the Stratford sub-station of Transpower NZ Limited. In fact, there was generally
some improvement in water chemistry between sites upstream and downstream of
the discharges from the Transpower site. Biological monitoring confirmed this, as
macroinvertebrate communities remained similar or improved slightly between the
site F upstream and site G downstream of the discharges from Transpower NZ Ltd.
5.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 22.

Table 22 Summary of performance for Consent 1211-3 to discharge treated domestic sewage
from Stratford substation into the Kahouri Stream
68
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adverse effects in Kahouri
Stream d/s of mixing zone
2. Discharge shall be undertaken in
accordance with submitted
documents
Water chemical sampling and biological monitoring Yes
Inspections Yes
3. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were no incidents, and the site and sewage treatment system were well
managed with only minor maintenance required in the sand filters. Water quality
monitoring indicated no change in water chemistry or biological communities as a
result of the discharges from this site.
5.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Transpower NZ Ltd in the 2006-2007 year
continue at the same level as in 2005-2006.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
5.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Transpower NZ Ltd, the programme for 2006-2007 was unchanged
from that for 2005-2006. This is because monitoring is presently at a very basic level
for a treated sewage discharge. Consequently, it is now proposed that for 2007-2008,
a similar level of monitoring is maintained. A recommendation to this effect is
attached to this report.
5.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.

5.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Transpower NZ Ltd in the 2007-2008
year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
69

6. Contact Energy Limited (closed power station)
6.1 Process description
70
Contact Energy Limited owns a site previously used for a 200 MW gas-fired thermal
power station beside the Kahouri Stream, 2 km east of Stratford on State Highway
43. The station was closed indefinitely in October 1999, and between June and
August of 2001, Fitzroy Engineering Group Limited dismantled the power station for
shipping overseas.
Stormwater from the site discharges to the Kahouri Stream and one of its tributaries.
There is an oil separator in the stormwater drain above each discharge point.
6.2 Resource consents
6.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Contact Energy Limited holds water discharge permit 3939 to discharge stormwater
from Stratford Power Station to the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary. This
permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 28 January 2000 under
Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It expires on 1 June 2016.
The first two special conditions define the effects that shall not be observed in the
Kahouri Stream below the 50 metre mixing zone, and discharge contaminant limits.
The third condition requires that the consent holder shall only discharge stormwater
in accordance with documentation submitted in support of the consent, and
condition 4 is a review condition.
6.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Contact Energy consisted of three primary
components in addition to programme liaison and management.
6.3.1 Site inspections
The Contact site was not visited during the monitoring period, as per the
recommendation in the 2005-2006 report. Previous inspections conducted with
regard to consents for the discharge to stormwater, concentrated on plant processes
with potential or actual discharges to receiving watercourses. The neighbourhood
was surveyed for environmental effects.
6.3.2 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of the water quality upstream
and downstream of the discharge point and mixing zone (sites 7 and 10, Figure 1) on
one occasion during the monitoring year in conjunction with the low flow survey.

71
The summer low flow survey of water quality in the Kahouri catchment is a shared
survey between several industries. In relation to Contact Energy, Sites 7 (Flint Rd)
and 10 (above Piakau confluence) were sampled, and analysed for conductivity, pH,
turbidity, suspended solids, ammonia, nitrate, dissolved reactive phosphorus and E.
coli bacteria (Table 2).
6.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries had had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Table 2. When assessing the effects of the
Contact Energy discharge, site F (in the Kahouri Stream, upstream of the discharge)
and G (in the Kahouri Stream, 80 m downstream of the discharge) were used to
assess the effects of the discharge on the biological communities of the stream.
6.4 Results
6.4.1 Water
6.4.1.1 Inspections
No inspections were carried out in the 2006-2007 monitoring period, as per the
recommendation in the previous report.
A contingency plan for the site has not been provided to the Council to date.
6.4.1.2 Results of discharge monitoring
No specific water quality monitoring is carried out in connection with the power
station site.
6.4.1.3 Results of receiving water monitoring
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007. Monitoring sites in the Kahouri Stream were located 2.5 km above
the power station, at Flint Road bridge (site 7, Figure 1), and 1.2 km downstream of
the power station, above the confluence with the Piakau Stream (site 9, Figure 1).
As this site only discharges stormwater, it is unlikely that a discharge was taking
place at the time of this survey. For most of the parameters the value measured
downstream of the discharge was less than that measured upstream. The counts of E.
coli and faecal coliforms were lower at the downstream site than upstream site, with
water quality monitoring as a whole showing an improvement over this 3.6 km reach
(Table 21).
Biological survey
Macroinvertebrate communities were sampled from one site upstream and one site
downstream of the Stratford Power Station discharge to the Kahouri Stream (sites F
and G, Figure 1) on 17 April 2007. The results are discussed in Section 5.4.1.3 and do

72
not suggest that discharges from the power station site have had a detrimental effect
upon the communities of the stream.
The full biological monitoring report can be found in Appendix II.
6.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that were
associated with Contact Energy Ltd.
6.6 Discussion
6.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
The power station site and its stormwater system was managed and operated in a
manner that achieved compliance with conditions on consent 3939.
6.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Biological and water quality monitoring detected no adverse effects on the Kahouri
Stream as a result of the discharge of stormwater from the site.
6.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 23.
Table 23 Summary of performance for Consent 3939-2 to discharge stormwater from Stratford
Power Station into the Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Adverse effects in Kahouri
Stream d/s of mixing zone
Biological monitoring Yes
2. Discharge contaminant limits Inspections (although not in period under review) N/A
3. Discharge shall be undertaken in
accordance with submitted
documents
Inspections (although not in period under review) N/A
4. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable

During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were no incidents, and the site was well managed. Water quality
monitoring indicated no change in biological communities as a result of the
stormwater discharges from this site.
6.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
73
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT receiving environment monitoring of discharges from Contact Energy
Ltd in the 2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-2006.
2. THAT the inspection component of the monitoring programme be removed for
the 2006-2007 year, until the site becomes operational again.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
6.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Contact Energy Ltd, the programme for 2006-2007 was altered from
that for 2005-2006, in that the inspection component was removed. It is now
proposed that for 2007-2008, a similar level of monitoring is maintained (as for the
2006-2007 year) and that the inspection component of the monitoring programme
remains dormant, until the site becomes operational again. A recommendation to
this effect is attached to this report.
6.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
6.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Contact Energy Ltd in the 2007-2008 year
continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

74
7. Contact Energy Limited (CCPS)
7.1 Process description
Contact Energy Ltd (previously Stratford Power Limited) holds resource consents to
provide for the operation of a 354MW combined cycle power station (CCPS) that is
situated on the northern bank of the Kahouri Stream, off State Highway 43, 2 km east
of Stratford. The plant was formally commissioned on 6 July 1998.
Five of those consents relate to activities in the Kahouri Stream catchment, being
discharge of stormwater, emplacement of structures (3), and disposal of treated
sewage by land soakage.
Most of the resource consent monitoring associated with the combined cycle plant
and reported on by Council, is carried out under a separate and comprehensive
programme specific to that plant. Monitoring associated with activities that may
affect the Kahouri Stream are detailed in this report.
The drainage system for the station is constructed so that all stormwater from
process and potentially contaminated areas drains to the wastewater treatment
system. The treated wastewater is discharged to the Patea River, not to the Kahouri
Stream.
Stormwater is collected in a storage basin that is lined with rubber. For most of the
time, the stormwater is pumped to the raw water holding pond for use in the plant.
At times of heavy or prolonged rainfall, the stormwater pond overflows to the
flooding Kahouri Stream.
Occasionally, some of the contents of the raw water pond, comprising water drawn
from the Patea River, have been pumped via the stormwater pond to the Kahouri
Stream in an effort to reduce the amount of algae in the raw water pond.
7.2 Resource consents
Contact Energy holds several consents in relation to the operation of a combinedcycle
power station. Five of those consents relate to activities in the Kahouri
catchment that potentially may have effects on the results of monitoring of other
industry under the Kahouri Stream monitoring programme. The remaining consents
held by Contact Energy relate to abstraction from the Patea River, discharge of
treated wastewater to the Patea River and discharge of emissions to air. Monitoring
in respect of these latter described consents is reported on separately by the Council.
7.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Contact Energy Limited holds water discharge permit 4459 to discharge stormwater
from a combined cycle power station site, including stormwater and sediment from
construction activities associated with the proposed expansion of the site, into an

75
unnamed tributary of the Piakau Stream and into the Kahouri Stream. This permit
was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on 25 May 1994 under Section 87(e) of
the Resource Management Act. It expires on 1 June 2028.
Special conditions 1 and 3 define discharge contaminant limits and the effects that
shall not be observed in the receiving water below a 5 metre mixing zone.
Special condition 2 requires that the consent holder provide a contingency plan.
Special condition 4 defines the lapse period if the consent is not exercised and
condition 5 is a review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
7.2.2 Discharges of wastes to land
Sections 15(1)(b) and (d) of the Resource Management Act stipulate that no person
may discharge any contaminant onto land if it may then enter water, or from any
industrial or trade premises onto land under any circumstances, unless the activity is
expressly allowed for by a resource consent, a rule in a regional plan, or by national
regulations.
Contact Energy Limited holds discharge permit 5063 to cover the discharge of
domestic septic tank effluent through a soakage field onto and into land in the vicinity
of the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional Council on
16 December 1997 under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It is due to
expire on 1 June 2028.
Special condition 1 requires the septic tank and field soakage effluent treatment
system to be installed according to plans submitted with the application.
Special condition 2 states that the discharge shall not enter a surface water body.
Special condition 3 is a review condition.
The permit is attached to this report in Appendix I.
7.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Contact Energy Ltd consisted of two primary
components in addition to programme liaison and management.
7.3.1 Site inspections
The Contact site was visited four times during the monitoring period. With regard to
consents for the discharge to stormwater and septic tank discharges, the main points
of interest were plant processes with potential or actual discharges to receiving
watercourses. The neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.

7.3.2 Biomonitoring surveys
76
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries had had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1.
When assessing the effects of the Contact Energy discharge, site F (in the Kahouri
Stream, upstream of the discharge) and G (in the Kahouri Stream, 80 m downstream
of the discharge) were used to assess the effects of the discharge on the biological
communities of the stream.
7.4 Results
7.4.1 Water
7.4.1.1 Inspections
Four inspections were carried out during the year. In general the site was found to be
in tidy condition. Staff of Contact Energy Limited, were found to have a good
knowledge of the environmental aspects of running the plant, and to have proper
training in dealing with contingency events that have potential for causing adverse
environmental effects.
Company records show that the stormwater pond discharged seven times in the
2006-2007 period.
7.4.1.2 Results of receiving water monitoring
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007. Monitoring sites in the Kahouri Stream were located 2.5 km above
the power station, at Flint Road bridge (site 7, Figure 1), and 1.2 km downstream of
the power station, above the confluence with the Piakau Stream (site 9, Figure 1).
As this site only discharges stormwater, it is unlikely that a discharge was taking
place at the time of this survey. For most of the parameters the value measured
downstream of the discharge was less than that measured upstream. The counts of E.
coli and faecal coliforms were lower at the downstream site than upstream site, with
water quality monitoring as a whole showing an improvement over this 3.6 km reach
(Table 21).
Biological survey
Macroinvertebrate communities were sampled from one site upstream and one site
downstream of the CCPS discharge to the Kahouri Stream (site F and G, Figure 1) on
17 April 2007. The results are discussed in Section 5.4.1.3 and do not suggest that
discharges from the power station have had a detrimental effect upon the
communities of the stream. The full biological monitoring report can be found in
Appendix II.

7.5 Register of incidents
77
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that related to
the Kahouri catchment, and were associated with Contact Energy Ltd.
7.6 Discussion
7.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
A high level of environmental performance and compliance was achieved by Contact
Energy Limited throughout the monitoring period. The plant was found to be well
managed and operated and was observed as being tidy during all site inspections.
Environmental awareness among the staff is high.
The containment and recycling of stormwater so that discharge of stormwater to the
Kahouri Stream occurs only during extreme rain events, or under controlled
conditions, has ensured that there is no adverse effect on the stream.
A comprehensive Effluent Disposal and Accidental Management Plan has been
instituted and applies to the entire site, including the stormwater catchment.
7.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Visual inspection and biological monitoring detected no adverse effects on the
Kahouri Stream as a result of the discharge of stormwater from the site or septic tank
discharges to land in the Kahouri Stream catchment.
7.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 24 and Table 25.
Table 24 Summary of performance for Consent 4459-1 to discharge stormwater from a combined
cycle power station into the Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Discharge contaminant limits Inspections Yes
2. Contingency Plan Reviewed by Council Yes

78
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
3. Adverse effects in Kahouri
Stream d/s of mixing zone
Biological monitoring Yes
4. Lapse period Not exercised N/A
5. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
Table 25 Summary of performance for Consent 5063-1 to discharge domestic septic tank effluent
through a soakage field into or onto land
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Septic tank & field soakage
effluent treatment system be
installed according to submitted
plans
2. No discharge shall enter a
surface water body
Inspections Yes
Inspections Yes
3. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were no incidents, and the site was well managed. Water quality
monitoring indicated no adverse effects on biological communities as a result of the
stormwater discharges to the Kahouri Stream or domestic effluent discharge (to land)
from this site.
7.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Contact Energy Ltd Taranaki combined
cycle power plant in the 2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-
2006.
This recommendation was implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
7.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.

79
In the case of Contact Energy Ltd, the programme for 2006-2007 was unchanged
from that for 2005-2006. It is now proposed that for 2007-2008, a similar level of
monitoring is maintained. A recommendation to this effect is attached to this report.
7.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
7.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Contact Energy Ltd Taranaki combined
cycle power plant in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-
2007.

8. Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited
8.1 Process description
80
Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure Limited operate a concrete batching plant, and
pre-cast manufacturing plant, including storage and retail of concrete products on a
site just north of Stratford on State Highway 3. The site is run by two divisions of
Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure Limited – Firth Industries and Humes Pipeline
Systems.
The Firth operation primarily involves the mixing of aggregate, cement, water and
additives in a concrete truck mixing bowl in order to produce concrete which is then
delivered to the end user. The Humes operation involves the manufacturing of precast
drainage soak-holes and lids, offal hole lids, and troughs. The Humes operation
is also a sales depot for items manufactured both on and off the site.
The business has operated on the site since 1939. Consent 5026 was issued in October
1996 to licence stormwater and washwater discharges from the concrete batching
plant.
Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure Limited applied for consent 5026 to be changed
in August 2005, to include additional stormwater and wastewater discharges from
the adjacent Humes site, and to reflect an upgrade to the existing wastewater
management system.
A tributary of the Kahouri Stream runs through the plant site. Wash-water from the
plant is treated by settlement in two small ponds, followed by soakage in two stonefilled
pits. Concrete truck washings are treated separately by settlement in two small
ponds in series, followed by two soakage ponds. Wash-water may be re-circulated
from the fourth pond to increase residence time for settling. Discharges to the stream
tributary can occur from both soakage systems. During the 2000-2001 monitoring
period the third settling pond was relocated adjacent to the other two ponds. The
area around the ponds was fully fenced, and the intention was to start recycling the
water from the ponds, once the soakage to ground water from the new pond had
stopped.
Sludge from the settling ponds is removed periodically and stored on-site to dry.
Waste concrete is also dumped at the site. Local farmers take the dry material for use
as fill material and in driveways.
Stormwater from yard areas and the roof of the main building currently soaks to
ground or drains through soak holes or grit interceptors before discharging to the
unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream.
Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure proposes to upgrade the existing stormwater and
wastewater management system, as follows:
Additional wastewater from the Humes pre-cast pipe manufacturing plant is to be
directed to the concrete batching plant wastewater pond and settling system;

81
The provision for recycling of truck wash, batching plant and pipe manufacturing
wastewater, including two new wastewater holding tanks with the combined
capacity of 45,000 litres; and
Two new sludge drying bins and a concrete mould area to be fully contained
with wastewater being directed to the truck wash out wastewater settling area.
8.2 Resource consents
8.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person may
discharge any contaminant into water, unless the activity is expressly allowed for by
a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by national regulations.
Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited holds water discharge permit 5026 to
discharge up to 170 L/s of stormwater and 5 m 3/day of wash-water from a concrete
product manufacturing and storage site onto and into land and into an unnamed
tributary of the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the Taranaki Regional
Council on 16 October 1996 under Section 87(e) of the Resource Management Act. It
expires on 1 June 2010. Changes to the consent conditions were applied or and
granted on 29 August 2005.
Special condition 1 states that no untreated stormwater is to be discharged to the
tributary.
Special conditions 2, 3, 4 and 7 requires the consent holder to minimise the amount of
silt contained in the stormwater from the site, operate an effective silt control system
to treat the stormwater and place a bund around any fuel stored on site.
Special conditions 5 and 6 define the component concentrations that shall not be
exceeded in the discharge, and the effects that shall not be observed in the tributary
below the 25 metre mixing zone.
Special condition 8 is a review condition.
8.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited consisted
of three primary components in addition to programme liaison and management.
8.3.1 Site inspections
The Fletcher Concrete site was visited once during the monitoring period. With
regard to consents for the discharge to stormwater, the main points of interest were
plant processes with potential or actual discharges to receiving watercourses. The
neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.

8.3.2 Chemical sampling
82
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of the water quality
downstream of the discharge point and mixing zone (site 6, Figure 1) on one occasion
during the monitoring year in conjunction with the low flow survey.
The summer low flow survey of water quality in the Kahouri catchment is a shared
survey between several industries. In relation to Fletcher Concrete, site 6 (unnamed
tributary above the confluence with Kahouri Stream) was sampled and analysed for
conductivity, pH, turbidity, suspended solids, chromium (acid soluble) and zinc
(dissolved) (Table 2).
8.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Fletcher Concrete discharge, site D (in the tributary of the Kahouri Stream, was used
to assess the effects of the discharge on the biological communities of the stream. Site
E (Flint Rd) in the Kahouri Stream may also provide some information downstream
of the confluence with this tributary.
8.4 Results
8.4.1 Water
8.4.1.1 Inspections
The routine annual inspection was performed on 14 December 2006. It was found
that all washwater was collected and directed to sumps for settling prior to
treatment. The sumps closest to the main building were cleaned out prior to
inspection. The truck wash is a contained system, in that the final pipe that leaves the
fenced off ponds is blocked, and the water evaporates. The solids that are removed
are allowed to dry, and are then stockpiled. A soakage field for a septic tank system
had recently been installed. The consent holder was advised that during rain, it may
be worthwhile keeping an eye on the runoff at the northern access gate, to ensure it
doesn’t contain excessive contaminants.
8.4.1.2 Receiving water monitoring
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007 during fine weather. The results for all sites in this survey are
presented in Table 4 (refer to Section 2.4.2.2). One chemical monitoring site is located
in the receiving waters downstream of the Fletcher Concrete discharge (site 6,
KHI000369), which also encompasses discharges from Egmont Tanneries and
Taranaki Galvanizers (Figure 1).

83
Table 26 Results of summer low-flow chemical water survey in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
in relation to Fletcher Concrete, 18 April 2007 (TRC site code KHI000369)
Date
Temp
(°C)
Cond @
20°C
(mS/m)
pH
Acid soluble
Chromium
(g/m 3 )
Dissolved
Zinc
(g/m3 )
Ammoniacal-
N
(g/m3 N)
Ammonia
NH3
(g/m3 )
SS
(g/m 3 )
18 April 2007 11.9 11.9 7.4

84
The stream at this site had a cloudy flow, with substrate comprising hard clay and
tree roots. Prior to the survey there was a reasonable period of flow recession, being
93 days since a flood in excess of 3 times median flow had occurred.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay
substrate, but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had
relatively high MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from
discharges in the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which
includes discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth
Industries.
A full biological report is given in Appendix II.
8.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that were
associated with Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited.
8.6 Discussion
8.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
The Fletcher Concrete site at Stratford is generally well managed. The ponds in the
concrete truck washing area were well managed and appeared to be operating
effectively. Staff on site had a good knowledge of the stormwater drainage system.
Works had previously been carried out in the 2002-2003 monitoring year to ensure
that the untreated stormwater from the sludge and waste concrete storage areas does
not discharge to the unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream. Further works are
proposed to increase the capacity of the waste-water and stormwater storage, and
initiate recycling in the plant.
An Environmental Management Manual has been produced by Fletcher Concrete. It
is a generic document for all concrete batching plants operated by the Company.

85
8.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
No chemical sampling of stormwater discharges from the site was carried out in the
monitoring period under review.
Receiving water quality and biological monitoring detected no adverse effects on the
tributary or Kahouri Stream as a result of the discharge of stormwater from the site
during the low flow survey of the Kahouri Stream catchment.
8.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 27.
Table 27 Summary of performance for Consent 5026-1 to discharge stormwater and wash-water
from a concrete batching plant into a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. No discharge of untreated
stormwater or wastewater
Inspections Yes
2. Plant shall be contoured/bunded Inspections Yes
3. Minimise amounts of silt
contained in stormwater
4. Maintain and operate silt control
system; maximise treatment of
stormwater
5. Limits on effects after reasonable
mixing
Inspections Yes
Inspections Yes
Biological monitoring Yes
6. Discharge contaminant limits Inspections, water quality monitoring Yes
7. Fuel must be bunded Inspections Yes
8. Optional review of consent Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were no incidents, and the site was well managed. Water quality
monitoring indicated no adverse effects on biological communities as a result of the
stormwater discharges from this site.
8.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure
Limited in the 2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-2006.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.

8.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
86
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure Limited, the programme for 2006-
2007 was unchanged from that for 2005-2006. It is now proposed that for 2007-2008, a
similar level of monitoring is maintained. A recommendation to this effect is
attached to this report.
8.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
8.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure
Limited in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

87
9. Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited
9.1 Process description
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited operates a fully enclosed fertiliser storage facility on
Monmouth Road, near the corner with State Highway 3, just north of Stratford.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited is a major New Zealand manufacturer and distributor
of fertiliser products, providing millions of tonnes of product to the agricultural sector
nationally each year. Since 1998, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited has expanded its
activities into the Taranaki region, establishing distribution facilities at Bell Block,
Pungarehu and Kapuni. The facility in Stratford was constructed in 2004, and
operations began shortly afterward.
The activities on site include the receiving of bulk products into the store by road
transport, which dump the product directly into the bulk products bins within the
building. All products are therefore received and despatched from within the confines
of the building.
Clean stormwater from the site, such as that sourced from the roofs, is directed to a
roadside drain. Stormwater from the yard areas, which has the potential to contain
some nutrients, is directed to a concrete sump that retains any solid material that is
washed from the yard. Water flows from this sump to a large stormwater retention
pond north of the yard. Effluent in this pond soaks away to ground, with nutrients
such as ammonia and phosphate either evaporating or being taken up by plant life
within and around the edges of the pond. More mobile nutrients such as potassium
and sulphate leave the pond with the stormwater. At times of significant rainfall, there
is the potential for effluent to flow in to an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream,
herein referred to as the ‘abattoir tributary’. This discharge would enter this tributary
downstream of the abattoir wastewater discharge.
9.2 Resource consents
9.2.1 Water discharge permit
Section 15(1)(a) and (b) of the Resource Management Act stipulates that no person
may discharge any contaminant into water, or onto or into land in circumstances
which may result in that contaminant (or any other contaminant emanating as a
result of natural processes from that contaminant) entering water unless the activity
is expressly allowed for by a resource consent or a rule in a regional plan, or by
national regulations.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited holds discharge permit 6217 to cover the discharge of
stormwater from a fertiliser storage and distribution facility onto and into land and
into an unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream. This permit was issued by the
Taranaki Regional Council on 20 November 2003 under Section 87(e) of the Resource
Management Act. It is due to expire on 1 June 2022.
Special conditions 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 define operational requirements including adopting
the best practicable option and allowable volume.
Special conditions 3 and 4 define the maximum levels of total recoverable
hydrocarbons and suspended solids that are to be contained in the discharge, and

88
what effects the discharge shall not give rise to beyond a discharge mixing zone of 50
metres downstream of the confluence of the tributary with the Kahouri Stream.
Special condition 8 is a review condition.
9.3 Monitoring programme
The monitoring programme for Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited consisted of three
primary components in addition to programme liaison and management.
9.3.1 Site inspections
The Ballance site was visited once during the monitoring period. With regard to
consents for the discharge of stormwater, the main points of interest were site
activities with potential or actual discharges to receiving watercourses. The
neighbourhood was surveyed for environmental effects.
9.3.2 Chemical sampling
The Taranaki Regional Council undertook sampling of the water quality in the
Kahouri Stream downstream of the confluence with the unnamed tributary that
receives the Ballance discharge (Site 3, Figure 1) on one occasion during the
monitoring year in conjunction with the low flow survey.
The summer low flow survey of water quality in the Kahouri catchment is a shared
survey between several industries. In relation to Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, site 3
(Kahouri below abattoirs) was sampled, and analysed for conductivity, pH,
turbidity, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, ammonia, dissolved reactive
phosphorus, zinc (dissolved) and E. coli (Table 2).
9.3.3 Biomonitoring surveys
One shared biological survey was performed in seven sites in the Kahouri Stream
catchment on 17 April 2007 to determine whether or not the discharges from the
various industries have had a detrimental effect upon the communities of the stream.
The location of these sites is shown in Figure 1. When assessing the effects of the
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, site A (in the Kahouri Stream, upstream of the tributary
that receives the Ballance discharge) and C (in the Kahouri Stream, 50 m downstream
of the tributary that receives the Ballance discharge) were used to assess the effects of
the discharge on the biological communities of the stream.
9.4 Results
9.4.1 Water
9.4.1.1 Inspections
The routine annual inspection was performed on 14 December 2006. The site was
very tidy, with almost all contaminants stored inside. A large diesel tank was
stationed outside, with appropriate bunding. However, the tap draining the bund
was open, which nullifies the bund. The consent holder was advised that this tap
needed to be closed at all times, except for when draining rainwater.

9.4.1.2 Receiving water monitoring
Water chemistry
The chemical water quality survey for the summer low-flow period was performed
on 18 April 2007 during fine weather. The results for all sites in the 2007 survey are
presented in Table 4 (refer to Section 2.4.2.2). The sampling sites relevant to the
Ballance Agri-Nutrients site are sites 1 and 3, which also encompass discharges from
the Taranaki Abattoirs site. The results for these sites are discussed fully in Section
2.4.2.2. There is the potential that the Ballance discharge contributed to the raised
levels of nutrients recorded in the Kahouri Stream. However, it is unlikely that this
contribution was significant, when compared to the Taranaki Abattoirs discharge,
when the nutrient concentrations and rate of discharge from the respective sites are
considered.
89
Biological survey
A macroinvertebrate sample was collected from sites A and C (Figure 1) in the
Kahouri Stream on 17 April 2007. The sample was sorted and identified to provide
the number of taxa (richness), MCI and SQMCIS scores for each site.
The MCI is a measure of the overall sensitivity of the macroinvertebrate community
to the effects of organic pollution in stony streams. It is based on the
presence/absence of taxa with varying degrees of sensitivity to environmental
conditions. It may be used in soft-bottomed streams to detect trends over time. The
SQMCIS takes into account taxa abundance as well as sensitivity to pollution, and
may reveal more subtle changes in communities, particularly if non-organic impacts
are occurring. Significant differences in either MCI or SQMCIS between sites indicate
the degree of adverse effects (if any) of discharges being monitored.
These results are discussed in full in Section 2.4.2.2, with a full biological report given
in Appendix II. This summer survey of macroinvertebrate communities in the
Kahouri Stream indicated that the communities directly downstream of the tributary
that receives the Taranaki Abattoirs and Ballance Agri-Nutrients discharges were
significantly different than those upstream, where taxa richness and MCI score were
slightly healthier than median community conditions recorded previously at this
‘control’ site. There was a significant decrease in MCI and SQMCIS scores at the lower
site, which may have been due to additional instream nutrients supplied by the
tributary. This is likely to be due to the impacts from the abattoir, but this is unclear
without further monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional sites be
included in subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge on this
unnamed tributary.
9.5 Register of incidents
The Taranaki Regional Council operates and maintains a register of all complaints or
reported and discovered excursions from acceptable limits and practices, including
non-compliance with consents, which may damage the environment. The register
(‘unauthorised incident register’) includes events where the company concerned has
itself notified the Council. The register contains details of any investigation and
corrective action taken.

90
Incidents may be alleged to be associated with a particular site. If there is an issue of
legal liability, the Council must be able to prove by investigation that the identified
company is indeed the source of the incident (or that the allegation cannot be
proven).
In the 2006-2007 year, there were no incidents recorded by the Council that was
associated with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited.
9.6 Discussion
9.6.1 Discussion of plant performance
A high level of environmental performance and compliance was achieved by
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited throughout the monitoring period. The site was
found to be well managed and operated and was observed as being tidy during all
site inspections.
The containment and treatment of stormwater that may be contaminated ensures
that the discharge was primarily to land, and that any discharge to the unnamed
tributary is minimised. This has ensured that there is no noticeable adverse effect on
the stream.
A contingency plan for the site was received in 2004.
9.6.2 Environmental effects of exercise of consents
Visual inspection and biological monitoring detected some effects on the Kahouri
Stream, caused by the inflow from the abattoir tributary. However, it is unlikely that
this is as a result of the discharge of stormwater from the site to land and/or into the
abattoir tributary in the Kahouri Stream catchment.
9.6.3 Evaluation of performance
A tabular summary of the Company’s compliance record for the year under review is
set out in Table 28.
Table 28 Summary of performance for Consent 6217-1 to discharge stormwater from a fertiliser
storage and distribution facility onto and into land and into an unnamed tributary of the
Kahouri Stream
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
1. Consent exercised in
accordance with application
Inspections Yes
2. Best practical option Inspections Yes
3. Discharge concentrations Sampling – not sampled N/A
4. Effects below mixing zone Inspections Yes
5. Contingency Plan Review by Council Yes

91
Condition requirement Means of monitoring during period under review Compliance achieved?
6. No storage of fertilisers or
chemicals outdoors
7. Advise Regional Council of any
changes to processes
Inspections Yes
Notification N/A
8. Review Condition Not exercised N/A
N/A = not applicable
During the year, the Company demonstrated a high level of environmental
performance and compliance with the resource consents. During the year under
review there were no incidents, and the site was well managed. Water quality
monitoring indicated no adverse effects on biological communities as a result of the
stormwater discharge to land or to the unnamed tributary of the Kahouri Stream.
9.6.4 Recommendations from the 2005-2006 Annual Report
In the 2005-2006 Annual Report, it was recommended:
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited in the
2006-2007 year continue at the same level as in 2005-2006.
These recommendations were implemented in the 2006-2007 monitoring year.
9.6.5 Alterations to monitoring programmes for 2007-2008
In designing and implementing the monitoring programmes for air/water
discharges in the region, the Taranaki Regional Council has taken into account the
extent of information made available by previous authorities, its relevance under the
Resource Management Act, the obligations of the Act in terms of monitoring
emissions/discharges and effects, and subsequently reporting to the regional
community, the scope of assessments required at the time of renewal of permits, and
the need to maintain a sound understanding of industrial processes within Taranaki
emitting to the atmosphere/discharging to the environment.
In the case of Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited, the programme for 2006-2007 was
unchanged from 2005-2006. It is now proposed that for 2007-2008, a similar level of
monitoring is maintained (one inspection per year). A recommendation to this effect
is attached to this report.
9.6.6 Exercise of optional review of consent
There are no consents held by the Company that allow for an optional review of
consent in June 2008.
9.7 Recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of discharges from Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited in the
2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

10. Water quality in the Kahouri catchment
92
The water quality of the Kahouri Stream has been assessed briefly under separate
headings in regard to both chemical and biological aspects. In particular, emphasis
has been placed upon components in the various discharges that have the potential
to influence its suitability for various water purposes including instream uses such as
wildlife and aquatic biota.
The chemical water quality in the main Kahouri Stream channel could be described
as good, bearing in mind the influence of catchment land use and channel and
riparian vegetation characteristics. As well as waste contribution from the various
industries monitored as part of the Kahouri programme, there are wastes from
various agricultural activities both of a point source and diffuse nature which also
influence the water quality of the stream.
A concern with the abattoir discharge is the contribution of nutrients to the Kahouri
catchment and, ultimately, to Lake Rotorangi. Previous work has demonstrated that,
after the Stratford municipal oxidation pond discharge, the discharge from the
abattoir is the second most significant single point source contributor of nutrients to
the upper Patea catchment. Monitoring of Lake Rotorangi indicates that the lake
continues to be mesotrophic to mildly eutrophic, suggesting that nutrient enrichment
is not occurring or is occurring at a very slow rate. It is noted that the combined
discharges from dairy farms (both treated dairy shed wastes and pastoral run-off) are
also comparatively significant sources of nutrients.
In April 2007 the waste discharge from the Taranaki Abattoir raised the biochemical
oxygen demand in the Kahouri Stream by more than 1 g/m 3 and therefore did not
comply with special condition 1 of the Company’s discharge consent. There was also
an increase in nutrient concentrations downstream of the discharge. Associated with
these increases were some significant changes in macroinvertebrate community
composition in the Kahouri Stream.
Treated domestic waste from Transpower NZ Limited contributes a relatively minor
amount of nutrients and both water chemistry and biological monitoring indicated
no deterioration in water quality as a result of this discharge.
Discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers have in the past had a significant influence on
the water quality of the Kahouri Stream, particularly the small tributary which
continues to receive zinc leachate. This is important from a toxicity standpoint.
Stream biota, including macroinvertebrates, algae and fish species, are variously
sensitive to zinc in soft waters of low buffering capacity such as those of the Kahouri
system. Dilution effects reduce the zinc concentration to ‘safe levels’ (as defined by
United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for aquatic species and
ANZECC guidelines) at a point somewhere above the confluence of the large
tributary with the main Kahouri Stream.
It was noted in the 1998-1999 monitoring report that zinc levels in the small tributary,
now piped, receiving the zinc leachate had fallen to one fiftieth of the concentration
first found. The levels measured during the 2006-2007 monitoring year indicate that
the amount of zinc leaching from the site appears to be continuing to stabilise.
However, it is important to recognise that there have been a number of ‘'pulses’ of

higher zinc concentration over the time that results have been recorded. This
phenomenon is common for leachate. Zinc concentration in the Kahouri remains
below biota toxicity levels.
93
The chemical surveys are concerned largely with making an assessment of water
quality by measuring the concentration of components of interest in discrete samples
from selected sites. This gives an instantaneous representation of water quality but
says little about temporal variations, particularly when only limited sampling is
conducted each year.
The biological surveys give an indication of what has happened during the days,
weeks or sometimes months, prior to sampling. Any occurrence of continuous gross
pollution within this time frame will be reflected in the composition of the
macroinvertebrate community at each site. A macroinvertebrate community index
(MCI) and semi-quantitative MCI (SQMCIs) is calculated and, together with an
assessment of the dominant species, these go toward making an overall assessment
of the quality of the macroinvertebrate community for each site. Some sites are more
suited than others to this form of monitoring, for example, stony riffles. Other sites in
the upper reaches of the Kahouri catchment have muddy or weedy beds that
influence the species that can live there. Therefore, the MCI and SQMCIs values and
assessment of community composition is always discussed in relation to the physical
habitat type.
This summer survey of macroinvertebrate communities in the Kahouri Stream
indicated that the communities directly downstream of the tributary that receives the
Taranaki Abattoirs and Ballance Agri-Nutrients discharges were significantly
different than those upstream, where taxa richness and MCI score were slightly
healthier than median community conditions recorded previously at this ‘control’
site. There was a significant decrease in MCI and SQMCIS scores at the lower site,
which may have been due to additional instream nutrients supplied by the tributary.
This is likely to be due to the impacts from the abattoir, but this is unclear without
further monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional sites be included in
subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge on this unnamed
tributary.
Further downstream at Flint Road, the macroinvertebrate community remained very
similar in community structure and indicated similar stream ‘health’, although there
was a recovery in the SQMCIS score at this site. None of the rest of the Kahouri
Stream sampling sites further downstream showed any significant adverse effects as
a result of industrial discharges to this catchment, consistent with the absence of any
significant heterotrophic growths on the stream substrate.
The macroinvertebrate communities of the Kahouri Stream were generally
characterised by moderate taxonomic richnesses at the time of this April 2007 survey
despite a period of relatively low flows during the latter part of summer. These
communities continued to support abundances of several ‘sensitive’ taxa at all main
stream sites, from upstream of the Taranaki Abattoir, to the confluence with the
Piakau Stream. All sites had relatively similar communities, particularly in terms of
those taxa characteristic to each site. For example, eight taxa dominated the
communities of nearly all of the six Kahouri Stream sites.

94
Most MCI scores were similar to historical median MCI scores, and higher SQMCIs
scores than historical medians were recorded throughout the stream. There was
some longitudinal deterioration throughout the catchment, a trend which is usually
present in agricultural ringplain catchments due to non-point source discharges and
is demonstrated by decreasing median MCI and SQMCIs scores in a downstream
direction from past surveys. Taranaki ringplain streams’ communities have been
shown to decrease in MCI scores at an average rate of 2.6 MCI units/km along their
total length, probably at a higher rate than this toward the upper reaches. This would
equate to a theoretical drop in MCI of about 21 units over the length of the Kahouri
Stream surveyed. The current survey recorded a decrease of 23 units, a rate of 2.9
MCI units/km. This is higher than what has been recorded in previous surveys,
which attributed a lack of a significant trend to the moderation of algae growth due
to good riparian vegetation cover along the banks of the Kahouri Stream in the reach
monitored. The trend seen in this survey is largely the result of an above average
community at the top site, coupled with a below average community at the
downstream site.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay
substrate, but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had
relatively high MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from
discharges in the Stratford industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which
includes discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth
Industries.
Generally these April 2007 results suggested that the Kahouri Stream was in good
‘health’ compared with past monitoring years, throughout the 8 km reach surveyed.
Any changes in macroinvertebrate community composition with distance
downstream were not indicative of any significant decline in water quality and
therefore reflected no recent impacts of point-source discharges in this part of the
catchment. There is some indication of impacts from the Taranaki Abattoirs site, and
therefore it is recommended to increase the scope of following surveys, to include
impacts of this site on their unnamed tributary. The lower unnamed tributary did not
have any detectable effect on the macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of its
confluence with the Kahouri Stream.
There is a need to maintain monitoring in the catchment, given its value as a trout
fishery and the potential for impacts to occur. This residual level of monitoring is
also being required by the Council elsewhere in the region where industry is
concentrated.

11. Air quality in the Kahouri catchment
95
The Kahouri catchment monitoring programme addresses the discharge to air of
emissions from three industries, being an abattoir, a tannery and a zinc galvanising
plant. Resource consents for these discharges have been required because of their
potential for adverse effect on the neighbourhood or environment (emissions from
the Stratford power stations are covered under separate programmes).
Many other factors influence air quality in the catchment, including a range of
farming activities, and roads and highways. In addition to this, occasionally
complaints are received regarding dust emanating from sites within the catchment.
This highlights the potential for dust to be a contributing factor to air quality in the
Kahouri Catchment.
During the 2006-2007 monitoring period, the Council received six complaints about
air quality in the Kahouri catchment, five relating to the activities of Taranaki
Abattoirs and one regarding Egmont Tanneries. This is a significant decrease from
the 25 complaints received in the previous monitoring period, and the 18 received in
the period before that. This is primarily a reflection of the improved management at
the abattoir, with better controls around the receiving and processing of product for
rendering. The abattoir did receive one infringement notice however, for the
discharge of offensive odour.
No effect of discharges from galvanising plant was detected at or beyond the
boundaries of those premises at the times of inspection and no complaints were
received in the monitoring year under review.

96
12. Summary of recommendations
1. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Taranaki Abattoir Company (1992)
Limited in the 2007-2008 year continues at the same level as in the 2006-2007
year.
2. THAT monitoring of discharges to land and water from Taranaki Abattoir
Company (1992) Limited in the 2007-2008 year continues at the same level as in
the 2006-2007 year, except for the biological survey, which is to increase to nine
sites, incorporating the abattoir tributary.
3. THAT the option for a review of resource consent 6570 in June 2008, as set out in
condition 16 of the consent, not be exercised, on the grounds that the conditions
are considered adequate to cover the exercise of this consent.
4. THAT monitoring of air emissions from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007,
including the provision for air deposition gauge monitoring conducted
biennially.
5. THAT monitoring of discharges from the galvanising plant of Taranaki
Galvanizers in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
6. THAT monitoring of air emissions from Egmont Tanneries in the 2007-2008
year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
7. THAT monitoring of discharges from Egmont Tanneries in the 2007-2008 year
continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
8. THAT monitoring of discharges from Transpower NZ Ltd in the 2007-2008
year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
9. THAT monitoring of discharges from Contact Energy Ltd in the 2007-2008 year
continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
10. THAT monitoring of discharges from Fletcher Concrete & Infrastructure
Limited in the 2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.
11. THAT monitoring of discharges from Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited in the
2007-2008 year continue at the same level as in 2006-2007.

Glossary of common terms and abbreviations
The following abbreviations and terms are used within this report:
Al* aluminium.
As* arsenic
Biomonitoring assessing the health of the environment using aquatic organisms
BOD biochemical oxygen demand. A measure of the presence of degradable
organic matter, taking into account the biological conversion of
ammonia to nitrate
BODF biochemical oxygen demand of a filtered sample
bund a wall around a tank to contain its contents in the case of a leak
CBOD carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand. A measure of the presence
of degradable organic matter, excluding the biological conversion of
ammonia to nitrate
cfu colony forming units. A measure of the concentration of bacteria
usually expressed as per 100 millilitre sample
COD chemical oxygen demand. A measure of the oxygen required to oxidise
all matter in a sample by chemical reaction.
Condy Conductivity, an indication of the level of dissolved salts in a sample,
usually measured at 20°C and expressed in mS/m
Cu* copper
DO dissolved oxygen
DRP dissolved reactive phosphorus
E.coli Escherichia coli, an indicator of the possible presence of faecal material
and pathological micro-organisms. Usually expressed as colony forming
units per 100 millilitre sample
Ent Enterococci, an indicator of the possible presence of faecal material and
pathological micro-organisms. Usually expressed as colony forming
units per 100 millilitre of sample
F Fluoride
FC Faecal coliforms, an indicator of the possible presence of faecal material
and pathological micro-organisms. Usually expressed as colony forming
units per 100 millilitre sample
fresh elevated flow in a stream, such as after heavy rainfall
g/m 3 grammes per cubic metre, and equivalent to milligrammes per litre
(mg/L). In water, this is also equivalent to parts per million (ppm), but
the same does not apply to gaseous mixtures
l/s litres per second
MCI macroinvertebrate community index; a numerical indication of the state
of biological life in a stream that takes into account the sensitivity of the
taxa present to organic pollution in stony habitats
mS/m millisiemens per metre
mixing zone the zone below a discharge point where the discharge is not fully mixed
with the receiving environment. For a stream, conventionally taken as a
length equivalent to 7 times the width of the stream at the discharge
point.
NH4 ammonium, normally expressed in terms of the mass of nitrogen (N)
97

NH3 unionised ammonia, normally expressed in terms of the mass of
nitrogen (N)
NO3 nitrate, normally expressed in terms of the mass of nitrogen (N)
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, a measure of the turbidity of water
O&G oil and grease, defined as anything that will dissolve into a particular
organic solvent (e.g. hexane). May include both animal material (fats)
and mineral matter (hydrocarbons)
Pb* lead
pH a numerical system for measuring acidity in solutions, with 7 as neutral.
Numbers lower than 7 are increasingly acidic and higher than 7 are
increasingly alkaline. The scale is logarithmic i.e. a change of 1
represents a ten-fold change in strength. For example, a pH of 4 is ten
times more acidic than a pH of 5.
Physicochemical measurement of both physical properties(e.g. temperature, clarity,
density) and chemical determinants ( e.g. metals and nutrients) to
characterise the state of an environment
PM10
98
relatively fine airborne particles (less than 10 micrometre diameter
resource consent refer Section 87 of the RMA. Resource consents include land use
consents (refer Sections 9 and 13 of the RMA), coastal permits (Sections
12, 14 and 15), water permits (Section 14) and discharge permits (Section
15)
RMA Resource Management Act 1991 and subsequent amendments
SS suspended solids,
Temp temperature, measured in °C (degrees Celsius)
Turb turbidity, expressed in NTU
UIR Unauthorised Incident Register entry- an event recorded by the Council
on the basis that it had potential or actual environmental consequences
that may represent a breach of a consent or provision in a Regional Plan
Zn* zinc
*an abbreviation for a metal or other analyte may be followed by the letters 'As', to denote
the amount of metal recoverable in acidic conditions. This is taken as indicating the total
amount of metal that might be solubilised under extreme environmental conditions. The
abbreviation may alternatively be followed by the letter 'D', denoting the amount of the
metal present in dissolved form rather than in particulate or solid form.
For further information on analytical methods, contact the Council’s laboratory

99
Bibliography and references
ANZECC (Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council) and
Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, 2000:
Australia and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, 2000.
National water quality management strategy. Volume 1: The Guidelines. October 2000.
Taranaki Regional Council (1993): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1993-94. Technical Report 93-17.
Taranaki Regional Council (1994): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1993-94. Technical Report 94-48.
Taranaki Regional Council (1995): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1994-95. Technical Report 95-75.
Taranaki Regional Council (1996): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1995-96. Technical Report 96-37.
Taranaki Regional Council (1997): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1996-97. Technical Report 97-42.
Taranaki Regional Council (1998): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1997-98. Technical Report 98-89.
Taranaki Regional Council (1999): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1998-99. Technical Report 99-60.
Taranaki Regional Council (2000): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 1999-2000. Technical Report 00-39.
Taranaki Regional Council (2001): Kahouri Stream Discharge Permits Annual Monitoring
Report 2000-2001. Technical Report 01-20.
Taranaki Regional Council (2002): Kahouri Stream Monitoring Programme Annual Report
2001-2002. Technical Report 02-27.
Taranaki Regional Council (2003): Kahouri Stream Monitoring Programme Annual Report
2002-2003. Technical Report 03-26.
Taranaki Regional Council (2004): Kahouri Stream Monitoring Programme Annual Report
2003-2004. Technical Report 04-66.
Taranaki Regional Council (2005): Kahouri Stream Monitoring Programme Annual Report
2004-2005. Technical Report 05-73.
Taranaki Regional Council (2006a): Kahouri Stream Monitoring Programme Annual Report
2005-2006. Technical Report 06-69.
Taranaki Regional Council (2006b): Freshwater Nuisance Periphyton Monitoring Programme
State of Environment Monitoring Report 2002-2006. Technical Report 05-73.

Appendix I
Resource consents held by
industries in the Kahouri Stream Catchment
(in alphabetical order)

Appendix II
Biomonitoring report

To Job Manager, B Jansma
From Scientific Officer, B Jansma
Doc No 558766
Report No BJ052
Date 19 January 2009
Biomonitoring of the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary,
April 2007
Introduction
This survey fulfilled the biological component of the 2006-2007 monitoring programme for
industries within the Kahouri catchment. It was performed to determine whether or not
discharges by industries within the catchment had had any recent detrimental effect upon
the macroinvertebrate communities of the associated streams. The monitoring related to the
following consents:
Taranaki Abattoir Co 1992 Limited 0108 to discharge meat processing waste;
Taranaki Galvanisers Limited 4657 to discharge stormwater;
Egmont Tanneries Limited 1816 to discharge stormwater;
Firth Industries Limited 5026 to discharge stormwater & waste water;
Transpower NZ Limited 1211 to discharge treated domestic sewage;
Contact Energy Limited 3939 to discharge stormwater;
Stratford Power Limited 4459 to discharge stormwater;
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited 6217 to discharge stormwater.
The results of biological surveys performed in the Kahouri Stream since the 2000-2001
monitoring year are discussed in various reports referenced at the end of this report.
Methods
The standard ‘400 ml kick-sampling’ technique was used to collect streambed
macroinvertebrates from six established sites in the Kahouri Stream and one site in an
unnamed tributary (Table 1, Figure 1) on 17 April 2007. This ‘kick-sampling’ technique is
very similar to Protocol C1 (hard-bottomed, semi-quantitative) of the New Zealand
Macroinvertebrate Working Group (NZMWG) protocols for macroinvertebrate samples in
wadeable streams (Stark et al, 2001).
Samples were preserved with Kahle's Fluid for later sorting and identification under a
stereomicroscope according to Taranaki Regional Council methodology using protocol P1 of
NZMWG protocols for sampling macroinvertebrates in wadeable streams (Stark et al. 2001).
Macroinvertebrate taxa found in each sample were recorded as:
R (rare) = less than 5 individuals;
C (common) = 5-19 individuals;
A (abundant) = estimated 20-99 individuals;
VA (very abundant) = estimated 100-499 individuals;
XA (extremely abundant) = estimated 500 individuals or more.
1

Table 1 Biomonitoring sites in the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary
Site
No.
Site code Map reference Location
A KHI000297 Q20: 197096 Kahouri Stream, 150 m u/s of abattoir and SH3
C KHI000307 Q20: 202094 Kahouri Stream, 50 m d/s of tributary receiving abattoir discharge
D KHI000367 (formerly 365) Q20: 208089 Tributary, 500 m d/s Stratford stockcar drain
E KHI000400 Q20: 222086 Kahouri Stream, below Flint Road bridge
F KHI000457 Q20: 235077 Kahouri Stream, u/s of Stratford CC power station
G KHI000465 Q20: 241072 Kahouri Stream, 80 m d/s Stratford CC power station discharge
N KHI000480 Q20: 250070 Kahouri Stream, 20 m u/s Piakau Stream confluence
Stark (1985) developed a scoring system for macroinvertebrate taxa according to their
sensitivity to organic pollution in stony New Zealand streams. Highly ‘sensitive’ taxa were
assigned the highest scores of 9 or 10, while the most ‘tolerant’ forms scored 1. Sensitivity
scores for certain taxa have been modified in accordance with Taranaki experience.
Averaging the scores assigned to the taxa found at a site, and multiplying the average by a
scaling factor of 20 produces a Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) value.
The MCI was designed as a measure of the overall sensitivity of macroinvertebrate
communities to the effects of organic pollution. MCI results can also reflect the effects of
warm temperatures, slow current speeds and low dissolved oxygen levels, because the taxa
capable of tolerating these conditions generally have low sensitivity scores. Usually more
‘sensitive’ communities (with higher MCI values) inhabit less polluted waterways. The use
of this index in non-stony streams is possible if results are related to physical habitat (good
quality muddy/weedy sites tend to produce lower MCI values than good quality stony
sites).
A semi-quantitative MCI value (SQMCIs) has also been calculated for the taxa present at
each site by multiplying each taxon score by a loading factor (related to its abundance),
totalling these products, and dividing by the sum of the loading factors (Stark, 1998 and
1999). The loading factors were 1 for rare (R), 5 for common (C), 20 for abundant (A), 100 for
very abundant (VA) and 500 for extremely abundant (XA). Unlike the MCI, the SQMCIs is
not multiplied by a scaling factor of 20, therefore SQMCIs values range from 1 to 10, while
MCI values range from 20 to 200.
Sub-samples of periphyton (algae and other micro flora) taken from the macroinvertebrate
samples were scanned under 40-400x magnification to determine the presence or absence of
any mats, plumes or dense growths of bacteria, fungi or protozoa (‘undesirable biological
growths’) at a microscopic level. The presence of masses of these organisms can be an
indicator of organic enrichment within a stream.
2

Figure 1 Biomonitoring sites in the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary
Results and discussion
At the time of this midday survey the Kahouri Stream flow had a moderately low flow (the
last flood event of three times the median flow or greater occurred 93 days prior to the
sampling date). The relatively steep gradient resulted in a steady to swift flow at all Kahouri
Stream sites (sites A, C, E, F, G and N). This flow was clear and uncoloured at all sites,
except for in the unnamed tributary site (D) which had a cloudy flow.
The stream bed material was similar throughout the Kahouri Stream sites monitored in this
survey, with stony beds dominated by gravels, cobbles and boulders. The stream bed
material in the tributary (site D) was dominated by hard clay and tree roots.
Periphyton mats and filamentous algal growths were patchy to widespread at all sites in the
Kahouri Stream except at the highest site in the catchment above all the discharges (Site A)
where only thin films of algae were present. This site is completely shaded by riparian
vegetation whereas the sites downstream of this were partially shaded. The tributary had no
periphyton mats and no algal filaments, as a result of the generally unsuitable substrate for
periphyton growth at this site.
Water temperatures recorded in the Kahouri Stream during this mid to late morning survey
ranged from 11.4°C to 11.6°C. The water temperature recorded in the tributary below the
drain from the stock car club was 12.0°C.
No significant heterotrophic growths of protozoa, bacteria or fungi were recorded at any of
the sites in the Kahouri Stream or the unnamed tributary.
3

Macroinvertebrate communities
Previous surveys performed in the Kahouri Stream have indicated that the
macroinvertebrate communities are generally in good condition with relatively high
numbers of taxa and MCI values. Some farmland-related (and possibly natural habitat and
temperature related) decline in MCI values has been observed down the length of the
stream. Results of previous surveys performed in the Kahouri catchment are summarised in
Table 2, together with current results and are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The full results
are shown in Table 3.
Table 2 Summary of the numbers of taxa and MCI values recorded previously in the Kahouri Stream and
tributary (site D), together with current results
Site Number of Numbers of taxa MCI values SQMCIS values
previous
surveys
Median Range Current Median Range Current
(8 previous surveys only)
Median Range Current
Survey
Survey
Survey
A 17 26 19-35 17 113 106-130 118 5.7 5.5-6.4 6.4
C 20 28 17-35 29 108 96-120 99 4.5 3.5-5.4 4.8
D 19 22 10-34 24 91 73-106 95 5.0 1.3-6.3 6.4
E 24 23 10-33 27 99 81-109 104 4.9 3.1-5.6 6.0
F 13 23 18-31 26 98 87-112 96 4.2 2.3-5.8 5.5
G 17 24 14-31 22 97 86-110 95 3.8 2.9-6.5 5.4
N 20 25 6-34 29 96 73-103 93 4.3 3.8-6.7 4.8
4

Table 3 Macroinvertebrate fauna of the Kahouri Stream and a tributary (site D), sampled on 17 April 2007
score
HBMCI
Taxa List
Site Number
Site Code
Sample Number
A
KHI000297
FWB07232
C
KHI000307
FWB07233
D
KHI000367
FWB07234
E
KHI000400
FWB07235
F
KHI000457
FWB07236
G
KHI000465
FWB07237
N
KHI000480
FWB07238
Nematoda Nematoda 3 - R - - - - R
Nemertea Nemertea 3 - - - - R - -
Annelida(Worms) Oligochaeta 1 C C A C C A A
Mollusca Ferrissia 3 - - - - - - R
Potamopyrgus 4 - - R - - C C
Crustacea Copepoda 5 - - C - - - -
Ostracoda 1 - C C - - - -
Paracalliope 5 - - - - R - -
Paranephrops 5 - - R - - - -
Ephemeroptera(Mayflies) Ichthybotus 8 - R - - - - -
Nesameletus 9 R A R R - - -
Coloburiscus 7 XA A R VA A VA VA
Deleatidium 8 VA A - A VA A VA
Austroclima 7 A A XA VA A VA A
Zephlebia group 7 - R - - - - -
Plecoptera(Stoneflies) Zelandoperla 8 R - - - R - -
Zelandobius 5 - - - R R - -
Odonata(Dragonflies) Xanthocnemis 4 - - R - - - -
Coleoptera(Beetles) Hydraenidae 8 C - - C C - R
Elmidae 6 C VA R VA A VA VA
Ptilodactylidae 8 C R - C - - -
Megaloptera(Dobsonflies) Archichauliodes 7 A A - VA A A VA
Trichoptera(Caddisflies) Aoteapsyche 4 VA VA C VA VA VA XA
Polyplectropus 6 - - A - - - -
Hydrobiosis 5 C A R R C A A
Psilochorema 6 - - C - - - -
Neurochorema 6 - - - - - C R
Costachorema 7 R R - R C A C
Oxyethira 2 - C - R R C R
Pycnocentria 7 - R - R - - R
Beraeoptera 8 - - - R - C -
Pycnocentrodes 5 - A - C R VA C
Confluens 5 - C - C R C R
Triplectides 5 - - C - - - -
Oeconesidae 5 - - R - - - -
Diptera(True Flies) Aphrophila 5 VA A - A A VA C
Eriopterini 5 R R R R R - A
Paralimnophila 6 - - R - - - -
Tanypodinae 5 - R R - - - R
Maoridiamesa 3 - R - C A A VA
Orthocladiinae 2 A VA C A A A VA
Tanytarsini 3 - - - C C C C
Chironomus 1 - C - - - - -
Austrosimulium 3 C C A R A R R
Paradixa 4 - - R - - - -
Empididae 3 - - - C C C R
Muscidae 3 - R - R R C C
Ephydridae 4 - - - - - - R
Tanyderidae 4 - C R R - - R
Acarina(Mites) Acarina 5 - R A - R - -
No. of taxa 17 29 24 27 26 22 29
HBMCI value 118 99 95 104 96 95 93
HBSQMCIs value 6.4 4.8 6.4 6.0 5.5 5.4 4.8
EPT taxa 8 12 9 12 10 10 10
% EPT taxa 47 41 38 44 38 45 34
Tolerant taxa Moderately sensitive taxa Highly sensitive taxa
R=Rare C=Common A=Abundant VA=Very Abundant XA=Extremely abundant
5

MCI Value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
A
C
E
F
MCI Median MCI No. Taxa Median no. of taxa
Figure 2 MCI values and numbers of taxa recorded in the Kahouri Stream during the current
survey, together with median values
SQMCIs Value
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
A
C
E
F
7
G
SQMCI Median SQMCI
Figure 3 SQMCIS values recorded in the Kahouri Stream during the current survey, together with median values
Site A: Kahouri Stream (KHI000297)
A below average community richness of seventeen macroinvertebrate taxa was found at site
A, upstream of the Taranaki Abattoir discharge. This was less than the median number of
taxa from previous surveys at this site (Table 2) and is the fourth such consecutive result for
this site. The community was characterised by one ‘highly sensitive’ taxon (Deleatidium
mayfly), four ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Coloburiscus and Austroclima mayflies,
Archichauliodes dobsonfly and Aphrophila cranefly) and two ‘tolerant’ taxa (Aoteapsyche
caddisfly and orthoclad midges) (Table 3). This is very similar to that seen in the previous
survey.
G
N
N
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of Taxa

MCI value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream 150m u/s of
SH3 (KHI000297)
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 4 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site A (KHI000297)
The moderately high proportion of ‘sensitive’ taxa (76% of total richness) in the community
was responsible for the MCI score of 118 units, which was toward the maximum of past
surveys’ scores at this site (Table 2,Table 3). The dominance (numerically) of sensitive taxa,
particularly mayflies, accounted for the high SQMCIs value (6.4 units), which was equivalent
to the previous maximum value recorded at this site (Table 2).
Site C: Kahouri Stream (KHI000307)
This site was located in the Kahouri Stream 50 m downstream of the tributary receiving the
discharge from Taranaki Abattoirs and the Ballance Agri-Nutrients stormwater discharge. It
is also 600 m downstream from site A. A moderate community richness of 29 taxa was
recorded at this site, similar to the median number of taxa recorded from previous surveys
(Table 3, Figure 5). The community was characterised by one ‘highly sensitive’ taxon
Deleatidium mayflies), seven ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Coloburiscus and Austroclima
mayflies, elmid beetles, Archichauliodes dobsonfly, Hydrobiosis and Pycnocentrodes
caddisflies, and Aphrophila cranefly); and two ‘tolerant’ taxa (Aoteapsyche caddisfly and
orthoclad midges).
MCI value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream 50m d/s of
abattoir discharge (KHI000307)
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 5 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site C (KHI000307)
The decrease in abundances of some ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa and increase in abundance
of ‘tolerant’ midge taxa, resulted in a significant decrease in the SQMCIs score compared to
8
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa
No. of taxa

site A upstream (Table 2) (Stark,1998). This may have been due to additional instream
nutrients from the abattoir discharge and was coincident with increases in substrate cover
by periphyton mats and filaments, as the less shaded nature at this site also provided a more
suitable habitat for periphyton growth. There was also a significant decrease in the MCI
score between sites A and C (Stark, 1998), which is indicative of recent impacts of the
Taranaki Abattoir tributary on the macroinvertebrate communities in this reach of the
Kahouri Stream. This is likely to be due to the impacts from the abattoir, but this is unclear
without further monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional sites be included in
subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge on this unnamed tributary.
This MCI score was much lower than the median of previous surveys at this site (Figure
5,Table 2), and slightly lower than the previous summer score (Figure 5).
Site D: unnamed tributary (KHI000367)
This site was located in a small tributary of the Kahouri Stream, 500 m downstream of the
Stratford stockcar grounds, which received discharges from Taranaki Galvanizers, Egmont
Tanneries and Firth Industries. The substrate was dominated by hard clay and wood roots.
The survey found a moderate richness of 24 taxa, similar to the historical median for this site
(Table 2). The community was characterised by five taxa (Table 3), three ‘moderately
sensitive’ taxa (extremely abundant Austroclima mayfly, abundant Polyplectropus caddisfly,
abundant acarina mites) and two ‘tolerant’ taxa (oligochaete worms and Austrosimulium
sandfly).
MCI value
Number of taxa and MCI values in a tributary of the Kahouri Stream
500m d/s Stratford stockcar drain (site D) (KHI000367)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 6 Number of taxa and MCI values for site D in the unnamed tributary of Kahouri
Stream since monitoring began in 1988
The presence of a moderately high proportion of ‘sensitive’ taxa (63% of total richness)
resulted in the MCI value of 95 units, similar to the historical median for this site (Table 3,
Figure 6).
The SQMCIs value at this site (6.4 units), was the highest recorded at this site to date, and
significantly higher than the median value (5.0) from the eight previous surveys at this site
(Table 2) (Stark, 1998). The abundance of ’sensitive’ taxa, especially the extremely abundant
‘sensitive’ mayfly resulted in the high SQMCIS value, indicating that industrial discharges
upstream of this site had not had a recent detrimental effect on the macroinvertebrate
communities of this stream, and that discharges may have even improved.
9
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa

Site E: Kahouri Stream (KHI000400)
This site in the Kahouri Stream at the Flint Road bridge was located nearly 800 metres below
the confluence of the tributary stream from the stockcar grounds catchment, and 2.7 km
downstream of site C. A moderately high community richness of 27 taxa was found at this
site, slightly higher than the long term median richness (Table 2) but similar to that recorded
at the nearest upstream site (C). The community was characterised by one ‘highly sensitive
taxon (Deleatidium mayfly), five ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Coloburiscus and Austroclima
mayflies, elmid beetles, Archichauliodes dobsonfly and Aphrophila cranefly), and two
‘tolerant’ taxa (Aoteapsyche caddisfly and orthoclad midges).
MCI value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream below Flint
Road bridge (KHI000400)
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 7 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site E (KHI000400)
As was the case with the community upstream at site C, the high proportion of ‘sensitive’
taxa (62% of total richness) was responsible for the MCI score of 104 units, slightly higher
than the long term median value (Figure 2). It was also slightly higher than the score
recorded 2.7 km upstream at site C despite the distance between these two sites and the
documented natural deterioration in communities in a longitudinal direction (eg: 2.6 MCI
units/km in ringplain streams (TRC, 1999)). This site actually recorded the highest MCI
score of this survey.
The increased abundance of a number of ‘sensitive’ taxa from site C to site E resulted in the
significant increase of 1.2 SQMCIS unit over this stream reach (Stark,1998). The SQMCIS
value at site E (6.0 units) was the highest recorded at this site to date, and significantly
higher than the median value from the eight most recent surveys (Table 2) at this site
(Stark,1998).
These results indicate that the cumulative discharges from the various industries situated in
the Kahouri Stream catchment upstream of Flint Road had not recently had significant
detrimental impacts on the biological communities of the stream, particularly considering
the relatively low flow conditions over the summer period. The downstream trend in
SQMCIS scores (Figure 3) followed the trend in historical median scores through this reach
of the Kahouri Stream.
Site F: Kahouri Stream (KHI000457)
This site, immediately upstream of the Stratford Power Station (elevation: 270 m asl), was
located about 2.2 km downstream of site E. A moderately high community richness of 26
10
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa

taxa was found at site F, slightly above the historical median (Table 3). This richness was
only slightly less than the number of taxa recorded at the nearest upstream site (E) (Figure
2). Three ‘highly sensitive’ taxa were present (indicative of good water quality conditions),
one of which was abundant (Deleatidium mayfly), along with five ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa
(Coloburiscus and Austroclima mayflies, elmid beetles, Archichauliodes dobsonfly and
Aphrophila cranefly); and four ‘tolerant’ taxa (very abundant Aoteapsyche caddisfly, and
abundant orthoclad, Maoridiamesa and Austrosimulium midges). These characteristic taxa
were similar to community compositions at upstream sites and there were very few
significant differences within individual taxon abundances between the adjacent sites E and
F as emphasised by the similar SQMCIS scores (Table 2).
MCI value
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream u/s of Stratford
CC pow er station (KHI000457)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 8 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site F (KHI000457)
Similar to the communities of upstream sites, the community at site F had a moderately high
proportion of ‘sensitive’ taxa (62% of total richness), which was reflected in the MCI score of
96 units, similar to the long term median score (Table 3). The MCI score was slightly (but not
significantly) lower than that recorded at site E upstream, reflective of the loss of two ‘highly
sensitive’ taxa in the community at this site upstream of the Stratford Power Station.
Small differences in community composition between adjacent sites E and F were illustrated
by the small difference in SQMCIs scores which were within 0.5 unit. The score at site F (5.5
units) was significantly higher than the median score recorded by the eight most recent
surveys at this site (Table 2). The MCI and SQMCIs both indicated that there was no real
downstream deterioration of macroinvertebrate communities in the reach of the Kahouri
Stream between site E and F, which is often demonstrated in catchments due to non-point
sources of nutrients (TRC, 1999). This was demonstrated by the median SQMCIs (Figure 3)
which decreased in a downstream direction. This may reflect the generally intact and good
quality riparian vegetation in the Kahouri Stream which may limit effects during summer
low flow conditions.
Site G: Kahouri Stream (KHI000465)
This partially shaded site located downstream of the Stratford Power Station discharges was
about 1 km downstream of site F, and downstream of discharges from the power station. A
community richness of 22 taxa found at this site was very similar to the historical median
(Table 3). Two ‘highly sensitive’ taxa were recorded, reflecting good water quality
conditions, and one of these taxa was abundant (Deleatidium mayfly). The community was
also characterised by eight ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Coloburiscus and Austroclima
11
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa

mayflies, elmid beetles, Archichauliodes dobsonfly, Hydrobiosis, Pycnocentrodes and
Costachorema caddisflies and Aphrophila cranefly); and four ‘tolerant’ taxa (oligochaete
worms, Aoteapsyche caddisfly, and Maoridiamesa and orthoclad midges), generally similar to
taxa characteristic of upstream sites. Few significant differences in individual taxon
abundances between adjacent sites (F and G) were evident, and despite increases in the
abundance of some ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Table 3), and a decrease in abundance of
some ‘tolerant’ taxa, there was little difference in the SQMCIs score at this site, compared to
site F (and most other upstream sites). The SQMCIs value of 5.4 was significantly higher than
the median of previous scores at this site (Table 2), which was indicative of no recent
impacts of the power station's discharges on the macroinvertebrate community of the
Kahouri Stream.
MCI value
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream 80m d/s
Stratford CC pow er station discharge (KHI000465)
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 9 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site G (KHI000465)
The MCI was also very similar to that recorded upstream at site F, indicating that any
differences in communities between these two sites were more associated with subtle
changes in the abundance of individual taxa rather than the increase or decrease in numbers
of ‘sensitive’ taxa between sites. A moderate proportion (55% of taxa richness) of ‘sensitive’
taxa were present at this site, slightly less what was present in the nearest upstream (site E)
community.
Site N: Kahouri Stream (KHI000480)
This lower catchment site, located a further 1.4 km downstream, immediately upstream of
the confluence with the Piakau Stream, had a moderately high community richness of 29
taxa. This was higher than the median richness recorded by previous surveys (Table 2 and
Figure 2) and richnesses found at the nearest and all other upstream sites.
Two ‘highly sensitive’ taxa (indicative of good water quality conditions) were present at this
site, one of which was abundant (Deleatidium mayfly). Other taxa characteristic of this site’s
community (Table 3) included six ‘moderately sensitive’ taxa (Coloburiscus and Austroclima
mayflies, Archichauliodes dobsonfly, elmid beetles, Hydrobiosis caddisflies and eriopterini
cranefly), and four ‘tolerant’ taxa (oligochaete worms, Aoteapsyche caddisfly, orthoclad and
Maoridiamesa midges); most taxa similar to the characteristic taxa at the other five upstream
sites.
12
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa

MCI value
Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream 20 u/s Piakau
Stream confluence (KHI000480)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
MCI value M edian M CI to date
No. of taxa M edian no. of taxa to date
Figure 10 Number of taxa and MCI values in the Kahouri Stream at site N (KHI000480)
Very few significant differences in individual taxon abundances were found between
adjacent sites G and N. However, subtle decreases in abundances of certain ‘sensitive’
mayfly and cranefly taxa and increases in ‘tolerant’ midges resulted in a decrease in SQMCIS
score of 0.6 units between sites. The MCI score was similar to the score recorded at site G
upstream. The MCI and SQMCIS scores were also similar to their respective medians (Table
2).
Summary and Conclusions
The Council’s standard ‘kick-sampling’ technique was used at seven sites to collect
streambed macroinvertebrates from the Kahouri Stream and an unnamed tributary on 17
April 2007. Samples were sorted and identified to provide the number of taxa (richness),
MCI and SQMCIS scores for each site.
The MCI is a measure of the overall sensitivity of the macroinvertebrate community to the
effects of organic pollution in stony streams. It is based on the presence/absence of taxa with
varying degrees of sensitivity to environmental conditions. It may be used in soft-bottomed
streams to detect trends over time. The SQMCIS takes into account taxa abundance as well as
sensitivity to pollution, and may reveal more subtle changes in communities, particularly if
non-organic impacts are occurring.
Significant differences in either MCI or SQMCIS between sites indicate the degree of adverse
effects (if any) of discharges being monitored.
This summer survey of macroinvertebrate communities in the Kahouri Stream indicated that
the communities directly downstream of the tributary that receives the Taranaki Abattoirs
and Ballance Agri-Nutrients discharges were significantly different than those upstream,
where taxa richness and MCI score were slightly healthier than median community
conditions recorded previously at this ‘control’ site. There was a significant decrease in MCI
and SQMCIS scores at the lower site, which may have been due to additional instream
nutrients supplied by the tributary. This is likely to be due to the impacts from the abattoir,
but this is unclear without further monitoring. Therefore it is recommended that additional
sites be included in subsequent surveys to assess the impact of the abattoir discharge on this
unnamed tributary.
13
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No. of taxa

Further downstream at Flint Road, the macroinvertebrate community remained very similar
in community structure and indicated similar stream ‘health’, although there was a recovery
in the SQMCIS score at this site. None of the rest of the Kahouri Stream sampling sites
further downstream showed any significant adverse effects as a result of industrial
discharges to this catchment, consistent with the absence of any significant heterotrophic
growths on the stream substrate.
The macroinvertebrate communities of the Kahouri Stream were generally characterised by
moderate taxonomic richnesses at the time of this April 2007 survey despite a period of
relatively low flows during the latter part of summer. These communities continued to
support abundances of several ‘sensitive’ taxa at all main stream sites, from upstream of the
Taranaki Abattoir, to the confluence with the Piakau Stream. All sites had relatively similar
communities, particularly in terms of those taxa characteristic to each site. For example,
eight taxa dominated the communities of nearly all of the six Kahouri Stream sites.
Most MCI scores were similar to historical median MCI scores, and higher SQMCIs scores
than historical medians were recorded throughout the stream. There was some longitudinal
deterioration throughout the catchment, a trend which is usually present in agricultural
ringplain catchments due to non-point source discharges and is demonstrated by decreasing
median MCI and SQMCIs scores in a downstream direction from past surveys. Taranaki
ringplain streams’ communities have been shown to decrease in MCI scores at an average
rate of 2.6 MCI units/km along their total length, probably at a higher rate than this toward
the upper reaches. This would equate to a theoretical drop in MCI of about 21 units over the
length of the Kahouri Stream surveyed, more typical of the decrease illustrated somewhat
median scores to date (ie: 17 units). The current survey recorded a decrease of 23 units, a rate
of 2.9 MCI units/km. This is higher than what has been recorded in previous surveys, which
attributed a lack of a significant trend to the moderation of algae growth due to good
riparian vegetation cover along the banks of the Kahouri Stream in the reach monitored. The
trend seen in this survey is largely the result of an above average community at the top site,
coupled with a below average community at the downstream site.
Site D in the Kahouri Stream tributary would be expected to support ‘poorer’
macroinvertebrate communities than those of the Kahouri Stream due to the clay substrate,
but in this survey the community contained many ‘sensitive’ taxa and had relatively high
MCI and SQMCIs scores, indicating no detrimental effects from discharges in the Stratford
industrial area in the upper part of the tributary which includes discharges from Taranaki
Galvanizers, Egmont Tanneries and Firth Industries.
Generally these April 2007 results suggested that the Kahouri Stream was in good ‘health’
compared with past monitoring years, throughout the 8 km reach surveyed. Any changes in
macroinvertebrate community composition with distance downstream were not indicative
of any significant decline in water quality and therefore reflected no recent impacts of pointsource
discharges in this part of the catchment. There is some indication of impacts from the
Taranaki Abattoirs site, and therefore it is recommended to increase the scope of following
surveys, to include impacts of this site on their unnamed tributary. The lower unnamed
tributary did not have any detectable effect on the macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of
its confluence with the Kahouri Stream.
14

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