It’s hoped water test results from Horne Creek near Queenstown – where up to 150 fish were found dead earlier this month – could soon be known, Otago Regional Council said this week.
The Council is again calling for information from the public who may know anything about the incident, where up to 150 trout and one native galaxiid were found dead.
ORC Manager Compliance, Tami Sargeant said water quality samples were taken from two locations along Horne Creek, with the samples sent to a Christchurch laboratory for testing.
Mrs Sargeant said some of the fish carcasses were being held at the ORC’s Queenstown office and advice was being sought on which laboratory is best to send samples to, if the ORC decides to have them tested.
She said it could possibly take longer to get a water test result, given testing for specific chemical and substances could not be requested.
“Possibly testing would be quicker if we knew the source of pollution or pollutant, but the tests being done are all standard tests.”
She says the stream where the fish were located is a mix of rural and industrial.
“Lower down it passes through residential and commercial areas.”
Mrs Sargeant says since the incident was first attended on 1 May in response to complaints, there had been no further reports of dead fish in the creek.
Any residents with information can contact ORC on the Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033. Information can be provided anonymously.
