What did this do to our water? | Oamaru News | Local News in Oamaru

The discovery of a dead cow in the main water race supplying Oamaru and Pukeuri on Wednesday has produced plenty of feedback.

The Oamaru Mail was told about the situation and went out to photograph the evidence. Reporters found a dead cow in the irrigation race at Papakaio, while a herd of pregnant dairy cows grazed in and around the race.

Lower Waitaki Irrigation Company chairman Chris Dennison told The Oamaru Mail farmers were discouraged from allowing cattle to graze within the berms of the race but accidents did happen.

"Lower Waitaki Irrigation Company uses the water raceways, which are on private land, under an easement to convey water," Mr Dennison said.

"We discourage farmers allowing cattle to graze inside the berms but there is a need to keep them clean of overgrown vegetation.

"This was previously done by sheep but, with the change of land use, it is now done by cattle," he said.

"Accidents such as this do happen, which is unfortunate for the farmer who has lost a breeding cow worth in the vicinity of $2000."

Mr Dennison has also confirmed that the berm has now been fenced by the landowner, who had also moved quickly to remove the dead cow as soon as he was aware of it.

A number of people have contacted The Oamaru Mail to express their concern about water quality after seeing our photographs in yesterday's edition.

One said he had called the Waitaki District Council twice to report cattle grazing in the irrigation race.

On one occasion he had found cattle effluent on the filter installed at his home's water supply, he said.

The council's filtration system ensured contaminants were removed from the water supply before it was reticulated to Oamaru users, staff said.

The Otago Regional Council is investigating.