Kelston Boys water watchers save the day

By Rani Timoti

Environmentally conscious students at Kelston Boys High School are getting high praise after spotting a sewer leak in the nearby Taroa Stream.

The pupils, who monitor the waterway as part of their studies, reported the problem to the Auckland regional and Waitakere city councils.

The stream was quickly sandbagged and its contents were pumped out into two large tankers.

Regional council spokesman Graham Surrey says the leak, caused by a blocked sewer pipe, could have gone unchecked for a long time if the boys hadn't noticed it.

"We'd like to encourage everyone to report anything strange or out-of-the-ordinary in the waterways," he says.

Kelston science teacher Phil Summerhays says the students have since taken water samples at the site and found the qulaity is back to normal.

The school has been studying the stream and other tributaries of the Whau Creek for seven years as part of the Waicare programme.

"It makes it all worthwhile when you discover something like this," Mr Summerhays says.

The regional council's 24-hour pollution hotline is 377-3107.

Western Leader

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