MP Joseph Mooney clarifies his position on sewage failure

Southland and Queenstown MP Joseph Mooney has asked Crux to clarify his position on the current crisis affecting the Shotover wastewater plant.

QLDC admits that parts of the facility, in particular the dispersal field, have failed but are not giving up to date details or what the fix - if any - is.

So far $77 million has been allocated by QLDC to future Shotover plant work, but details are vague. QLDC says that no effluent is being discharged into local rivers and it is complying with ORC resource consents.

Over the weekend Mr Mooney told Crux: "I have made enquiries with both the QLDC and the ORC, and am advised that (untreated or partially treated discharge into local rivers) is not happening - treated water is going into the dispersal fields."

Mr Mooney says that this statement does not mean that he accepts the QLDC and ORC statements, and is simply saying that he's been given this explanation and has no reason to either believe it or not believe it at this stage.

He says that he is waiting for QLDC and ORC to publish their lab tests of recent waste water discharges before taking a position.