Only rain goes down the drain - let’s keep our waterways clean
Fish heads were recently discovered dumped in Murphy’s Creek, Springlands.
Marlborough residents are being reminded that ‘only rain goes down the drain’ following a series of pollution events in a Springlands waterway.
A concerned member of the public recently wrote to Council to advise they’d observed fish heads in Murphy’s Creek, Council Stormwater Lead Jon Cunliffe said.
“Following the fish head observation a second member of the public rang in to report heavy discolouration in the same creek. Council staff confirmed this on inspection and further determined this had occurred on three separate occasions,” Jon said.
“While we can’t be sure what caused the discolouration, each of these events occurred at around the same time of day, and it’s thought that it may have been from a painter washing out brushes into an outside stormwater receiver at a worksite in the area.”
The placement of the fish heads in the creek is likely the result of poor consideration of where to dump waste, or that the culprit or culprits may have been using them for eeling.
“We’re asking residents and commercial operators throughout Marlborough to avoid using our waterways as dumping grounds; and to be mindful of what they’re putting down our stormwater drains. These lead straight to our waterways and then the sea,” Jon said.
“Our waterways are home to many different species, and it’s important that we don’t jeopardise their habitats with pollutants for the sake of our own benefits.”
