Contact Energy investigating incident involving slip

Contact Energy is investigating an incident at its Wairakei geothermal operations that has resulted in a slip. The slip has flowed into a small stream that feeds the Waikato River, resulting in muddy water flowing over the Huka Falls. The water flow has been contained and the muddy water is expected to clear quickly.

John Clark, Contact Energy’s Head of Generation Geothermal Operations, said the Waikato Regional Council had been notified and a pollution response team from Hamilton would be assessing the situation. Contact Energy’s environmental specialists are also on site and investigating the situation.

“We are working with the local councils to assess the impact of this. We are conducting precautionary tests on the water and are working with stakeholders in the Wairakei area to ensure they are informed.” he said.

Mr Clark said the water supply to the majority of Taupo was unaffected, but that Contact Energy was working with the local authorities to minimise the impact to those people whose water supply had been impacted or disrupted, as a precaution.

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