Key points
Environment Waikato receives pollution incident reports through our 24 hour Environment Waikato Freephone (0800 800 401). Incidents reported include discharges to air, land, water, rivers and lakes and coastal areas around the region. Environment Waikato deals with these incidents to minimise their effects and works with those involved to prevent further pollution in the future.
- There were 869 pollution incidents reported by telephone to Environment Waikato in 2000-2001.
- Nearly half (48 percent) of the reported incidents were about discharges to air.
- Discharges to water accounted for 27 percent of calls.
- Over half of the air discharge complaints were about odours.
- Most environmental effects from reported incidents were localised and short term.
Source: Environment Waikato
What agencies are doing
- Environment Waikato investigates pollution incidents as a matter of priority. An officer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to these incidents, provide advice and to make sure environmental effects are minimised. We also take steps to make sure the people responsible for the pollution take action so it doesn't happen again.
- Environment Waikato can use pollution incident information to help set goals, develop and apply regulatory measures, and plan environmental education programmes to prevent pollution incidents taking place.
- Environment Waikato’s environmental education programmes may also encourage people in the Region to adopt a ‘watchdog’ role in recognising and reporting pollution incidents.
- Environment Waikato’s Waikato Regional Policy Statement, Waikato Regional Plan and Regional Coastal Plan contain guidelines and regulations for the management of pollution incidents.
What you can do to help
- Before carrying out an activity on your land, think about how it might affect the environment. If in doubt, check with Environment Waikato first. We can provide advice, and tell you, your neighbour and/or any other people if an activity requires you to apply for a resource consent.
- Report pollution incidents through Environment Waikato’s Freephone, 0800 800 401 (24 hour, seven day a week service).
- See our environment pages for more ideas on what you can do to help prevent pollution incidents.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by monitoring pollution incidents is:
- Waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation and energy efficiency are promoted and are part of how we all live.