Council Asks Public To Report Tallow Remnants

People walking around Ahuriri Estuary are asked to look out for and report any remaining globules of tallow following the accidental spill from a tanker on Monday 12 January.

Ahuriri Estuary is a popular recreation spot and a sensitive wetland environment.

Teams from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay District Health Board's Public Health Unit had worked together to clean up the 13 tonnes of spilt tallow from drains and the high tide mark in the estuary on Monday and Tuesday, after a truck carrying tanker of tallow ruptured a valve.

The washed up tallow was unsightly, but HBRC confirmed that the accidental spill had minimal environmental impact and the HB District Health Board had also confirmed that the heat treated fat posed no health risk.

“We cleaned up all that we could see, but over the next few days more tallow may be washed up at high tide marks or in corners of creeks, and we’d appreciate people letting us know so we can clear it away and return Ahuriri to its normal state,” said Mike Alebardi, HBRC Team leader pollution response.

People can call HBRC’s 24/7 pollution hotline on 0800 108 838 with location details of any tallow sighted.