Contaminated soil to be removed from tanker crash site

Soil contaminated by spilt petrol and diesel is being removed from a Paengaroa roadside where an overturned tanker lost some of its load last month.

The tanker crashed on Old Coach Road on 22 February, spilling about 9500 litres of diesel and 400 litres of petrol before it could be pumped out. Bay of Plenty Regional Council advised residents with bores or water takes to check for signs of contamination from the spill, but have received no reports.

About 50 metres of soil two metres deep will be removed from the roadside spill site starting today, and taken to a specialised contaminated waste facility. The operation should take about two days, Regional Council Acting Team Leader Pollution Prevention David Ede said.

Old Coach Road will be reduced to one lane while the work is completed. Mr Ede said it was likely there would be ongoing monitoring of bores in the area as part of the remediation action plan being developed.

The Regional Council is still advising residents with bores or water takes near Saturday’s petrol tanker crash at Paengaroa to check for signs of contamination from the spill.

Residents in the area should check for petrol films or odour in water bores or water takes and if they think the water might be contaminated call the Regional Council’s Pollution Prevention Hotline 0800 884 883.

If the water is used as a drinking water source residents should notify Toi Te Ora Public Health on 0800 221 555.

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