Dear Jason,

 

I write to acknowledge your information request of 8 March 2018 in respect
of the below.

 

Please be advised that your request has been passed on to the relevant
team within Council and you will be informed of the outcome.

The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 requires
that we advise you of our decision on whether the Council will provide the
requested information or not  “as soon as reasonably practicable”, no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. We will
respond to you no later than 9 April 2018.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [1][email address]

[2]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[3]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[4]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[6]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

show quoted sections

Dear Jason,

 

Further to your information request of 8 march 2018 in respect of the
below, I am now able to provide Hamilton City Council’s response.

 

You requested:

 

I have heard rumours that Hamiltons Lake is contaminated with Arsenic. Is
this true? Why was the lake slide removed ? Is it safe for recreational
sailors?

 

Our response:

 

Hamilton City Council will be releasing the information held that is
relevant to your request.  This information is currently being collated
and we expect that this will be released to you no later than Friday 13
April 2018.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [1][email address]

[2]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[3]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[4]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[6]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

From: official information
Sent: Thursday, 8 March 2018 8:32 AM
To: Jason McIntosh <[8][FOI #7393 email]>
Cc: official information <[9][Hamilton City Council request email]>
Subject: HPE CM: RE: LGOIMA 18046: Official Information request - How
polluted is Lake Rotoroa?

 

Dear Jason,

 

I write to acknowledge your information request of 8 March 2018 in respect
of the below.

 

Please be advised that your request has been passed on to the relevant
team within Council and you will be informed of the outcome.

The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 requires
that we advise you of our decision on whether the Council will provide the
requested information or not  “as soon as reasonably practicable”, no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. We will
respond to you no later than 9 April 2018.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [10][email address]

[11]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[12]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[13]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[15]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

show quoted sections

Dear Jason,

 

Further to your information request of 8 March 2018, in respect of the
below, I now provide Hamilton City Council’s response.

 

Your questions are in bold below, with the response directly below.

 

I have heard rumours that Hamiltons Lake is contaminated with Arsenic. Is
this true?

 

Yes, Hamilton Lake Domain’s Lake Rotoroa is contaminated with arsenic. 

 

Timeline of Arsenic related activities at Hamilton Lake Domain

 

1959 – Arsenic-based herbicide (11,000L) applied to Lake Rotoroa to
control aquatic weed that hampered use of lake for yachting etc.  This was
an approved practice at the time.

 

1960s-70s – Lake Rotoroa used for swimming and other water-based
recreation by the public.

 

1983 – Investigation by Aquatic Plant Section of Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries (MAF) on behalf of the Council indicated surficial lake bed
sediments had concentrations ranging between 540-780mg/kg.

 

1990 – Tanner and Clayton study levels of arsenic in lake bed sediments
and fish within Lake Rotoroa. 

 

1992 – Gordon Rajendram’s work published.  Mr Rajendram monitored levels
of arsenic in Lake Rotoroa between September 1990 and September 1991.

 

1995 – Daryl Steven Kane’s thesis ‘The Status of Fish in Hamilton Lake
(Lake Rotoroa)’ was published.  This included an examination of
concentrations of arsenic and other heavy metals in the white muscle of
fish.  Results showed levels below maximum permitted levels for human
consumption.

 

2005 – An Amendment to the RMA (Section 30(1)(c)(ca) required every
regional council to investigate land to identify and monitor contaminated
land.  They subsequently engaged Pattle Delamore Partners to investigate
the sediments within the bed of Rotoroa.

 

May 2007 – Letter from Environment Waikato to public informing them that
Pattle Delamore Partners will be undertaking sampling of sediments in
Rotoroa.

 

Late 2007 – Environment Waikato request information from HCC regarding
previous investigations into water quality etc in Rotoroa.  Kemble
responds accordingly.

 

March 2008 – Report published by Pattle Delamore Partners on ‘Significance
of Arsenic in Sediments of Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake).  The findings of
this report prompted Environment Waikato to class the lake bed as
contaminated land and request HCC create an environmental management plan
for the lake bed sediments. Following discussions with Environment Waikato
staff and internal discussion with Hamilton City Council City Waters staff
a course of action was outlined that entailed reviewing the Hamilton Lake
Domain Management Plan to incorporate an environmental management plan.

 

2017 / 2018 – Waikato Regional Council is undertaking a yearlong study to
understand the current state of the lake including contaminates.

 

Why was the lake slide removed?

 

We believe the slide was removed in the 1980s, unfortunately our park
management records at hand don’t go back that far.  We believe the removal
of the slide which entered the water due to a combination of health and
safety concerns, maintenance of the slide and the water quality.

 

Is it safe for recreational sailors?

 

Yes it is. The Council undertakes regular monitoring of the lake water
through National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA), and staff
follow the Waikato DHB health alert regulations for notification of
elevated levels of toxins. The public is notified of any issues as and
when required with signage around the lake, and staff communicate directly
via with organised recreational user groups. There are instances when we
advise the public to avoid entering the water, consuming fish from the
lake, or allowing dogs into it  If weather or water conditions lead to
concerns about water quality presenting an increased risk to sailors, we
notify the Hamilton Yacht Club immediately.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [1][email address]

[2]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[3]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[4]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[6]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

 

From: official information
Sent: Monday, 9 April 2018 4:42 PM
To: 'Jason McIntosh' <[8][FOI #7393 email]>
Cc: official information <[9][Hamilton City Council request email]>
Subject: FW: LGOIMA 18046: Official Information request - How polluted is
Lake Rotoroa?

 

Dear Jason,

 

Further to your information request of 8 march 2018 in respect of the
below, I am now able to provide Hamilton City Council’s response.

 

You requested:

 

I have heard rumours that Hamiltons Lake is contaminated with Arsenic. Is
this true? Why was the lake slide removed ? Is it safe for recreational
sailors?

 

Our response:

 

Hamilton City Council will be releasing the information held that is
relevant to your request.  This information is currently being collated
and we expect that this will be released to you no later than Friday 13
April 2018.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [10][email address]

[11]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[12]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[13]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[15]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

From: official information
Sent: Thursday, 8 March 2018 8:32 AM
To: Jason McIntosh <[17][FOI #7393 email]>
Cc: official information <[18][Hamilton City Council request email]>
Subject: HPE CM: RE: LGOIMA 18046: Official Information request - How
polluted is Lake Rotoroa?

 

Dear Jason,

 

I write to acknowledge your information request of 8 March 2018 in respect
of the below.

 

Please be advised that your request has been passed on to the relevant
team within Council and you will be informed of the outcome.

The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 requires
that we advise you of our decision on whether the Council will provide the
requested information or not  “as soon as reasonably practicable”, no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. We will
respond to you no later than 9 April 2018.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Watson
On behalf of the Privacy Officer

 

DDI: 07 8386983 | Email: [19][email address]

[20]Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[21]www.hamilton.govt.nz
[22]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/faceboo... us on Facebook
[24]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential and may contain
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please
delete the message and notify the sender. You should not read, copy, use,
change, alter, disclose or deal in any manner whatsoever with this email
or its attachments without written authorisation from the originating
sender. Hamilton City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in
connection with this email and any attachments including in connection
with computer viruses, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised
access or unauthorised amendment. Unless expressly stated to the contrary
the content of this email, or any attachment, shall not be considered as
creating any binding legal obligation upon Hamilton City Council. Any
views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may
not necessarily reflect the views of Hamilton City Council.

 

show quoted sections