August 24th 2024.
The staff at a council in New Zealand have recently confirmed that an old mine shaft is the cause of the Ohinemuri River's sudden transformation into a bright orange hue. According to Patrick Lynch, the regional compliance manager for Waikato Regional Council, it seems that sediment from the abandoned mine has been stirred up and is now flowing into the river from the hills above the Karangahake Gorge car park. Thankfully, the water coming from the shaft is now running clearer than before.
Despite the improvement in the river's appearance, the council is still advising people to avoid physical contact with the water until further tests can be completed. Lynch explains that the color suggests a high concentration of iron, but there could also be other harmful substances such as arsenic and heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and antimony. These pollutants could pose a significant risk to anyone who comes into contact with them.
He emphasizes the importance of avoiding skin contact with the water, as well as any consumption of it. The council is currently conducting tests for various heavy metals, including mercury in both total and dissolved forms. Lynch acknowledges that the investigation into this incident will take time, as they want to fully understand how it occurred and what measures need to be taken to prevent it from happening again in the future.
He also mentions that they are somewhat at the mercy of nature, as a significant rain event is needed to wash away the contaminants from the river. The more water that flows through, the more diluted the pollutants will become. The council was alerted to the discolored river on Friday afternoon, and they immediately urged people to stay away and treat the water as contaminated.
The orange tint seemed to originate downstream from the Waitawheta River, which feeds into the Ohinemuri River in the Karangahake Gorge. This incident was first reported by Stuff and is now being republished with permission. The council continues to monitor the situation and advises caution to anyone in the area.
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