PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING

MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

SANITATION SERVICES (South Island)

6 January 2013

Departmental Memorandum URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

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For the attention of Inspector of public utilities.

It has come to my attention that there is a significant public health hazard that requires urgent attention and remediation.

My office has received numerous reports of biohazard contamination that appears to move from site to site.

The locations and approximate dates of this contamination is as follows:

Tuesday December 26 2012

Severe blockage of the waste disposal system on one of the inter-island ferries was reported. This necessitated cancellation of a return trip to Wellington that day as the vessel had to undergo a thorough inspection and maintenance. It was discovered that one of the men’s toilets had been severely blocked with and unusual and disturbing amount of waste and massive amounts of toilet tissue. Investigations are on going.

Wednesday December 27 2012.

The public conveniences at Kaikoura were closed in a state of emergency. Once again there was extreme contamination and the unusual use of toilet tissue. Emergency services were brought in from Blenheim and from Christchurch but to no avail. The public convenience building has been closed and demolition is pending.

Thursday December 28 2012 and,

Friday December 29 2012

Two motels. One south of Christchurch and one in Dunedin have been closed. Local fire brigades in each area alerted the public health authorities and after inspection (commendations for brave inspectors to be notified) closure notices have been put up.

Due to the New Years period and with resources being stretched with clean up operations in the afore-mentioned locations, officers have been unable to follow up on alerts in and around the Dunedin area.

Anecdotal evidence has come in of at least one hotel and a guesthouse turning away visitors because of ‘plumbing problems’ and supermarkets in the area have reported some kind of a run on toilet tissue.

I am concerned that the carrier of this contamination may be on the move and may well continue back up the island. A special action group has been put on alert at Picton and special agents will be stationed in all conveniences on shore and in all of the ferries.

Further updates will be given as information comes to hand.

Giles Bottomly

Chief Sanitation Inspector