No contamination worries at park - report
UPDATED 26 AUGUST 2009
Results of a soil sampling and testing programme at Marfell Park show residents do not need to worry about contaminants or any environmental risk at the former landfill site, the Taranaki Regional Council says.
A report on the investigation, by leading contaminated sites specialist Dr Graeme Proffitt of Pattle Delamore Partners, includes detailed results of analyses of 14 composite samples of soil taken from 85 locations in the park. Each sample was analysed for around 300 different substances.
Importantly, Dr Proffitt concludes that the park is "suitable for its current use".
Tests for dioxin, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and a range of other contaminants revealed all levels were well below appropriate guidelines, and in fact were generally lower than at other landfills that have been investigated.
The investigation also included an assessment of the depth of soil cover over the landfill material, and concluded it was mostly adequate, the only recommendation being additional soil cover in the area of the park where agrichemical residues were excavated in May.
The Taranaki Regional Council commissioned Dr Proffitt's investigation after consulting residents who were concerned about the May incident, which occurred during a New Plymouth District Council stormwater project. Dr Proffitt's sampling and testing plan was endorsed by Marfell community representatives early in July.
"The soil samples have been tested for an incredibly wide range of contaminants and all the results indicate there is nothing to worry about," says the Council's Director-Environment Quality, Gary Bedford.
"There is also no evidence of the presence of further agrichemical wastes, beyond that related to the original excavation, which is another pleasing finding of this investigation
"It's great to have delivered on our promise to the residents to undertake this survey, and the fact that the results are so reassuring is a great relief. We have advised the park's neighbours of the results, and all concerns should now be dispelled."
The Council will continue its regular monitoring of the park. Monitoring began in the mid 1990s when the park's owner, the New Plymouth City (now District) Council, was issued a resource consent governing leachate discharges from the former landfill site.
Marfell community representatives, the New Plymouth District Council, the Taranaki District Health Board and the Ministry for the Environment have been briefed on the results of Dr Proffitt's investigation.
Dr Proffitt has recommended that the NPDC develop a management plan for the park to govern any future excavation works.
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