Woolston scrap metal yard fire – environmental response updates

• FENZ has completed its main operations – with one hose remaining on site
• Christchurch City Council will continue pumping any water used for firefighting operations to the wastewater network, throughout the weekend
• Minimal oil is being observed in the area (just some isolated and very thin surface sheen patches)
• Absorbent booms and a rapid deployment boom will remain in place over the weekend – our staff will continue to monitor the site
• The site owner has arranged for consultants to set-up perimeter bunding for post-operation stormwater control
• FENZ is still asking nearby residents to keep their windows and doors shut – due to the possibility of lingering smoke over the weekend
• To report any environment concerns, please call Environment Canterbury on 0800 765 588 (24 hours) or use the Snap Send Solve app.

The fire remains contained but is still smouldering

• Christchurch City Council has set-up three collection points for wastewater from FENZ operations. This is being pumped to the wastewater network
• Absorbent booms remained around the stormwater outlets overnight
• A rapid deployment boom is still in place – with a team deployed this morning for maintenance
• Our air quality monitoring station at Woolston has shown no discernible difference in the levels of particulate matter since the fire
• Observations will continue throughout the day
• FENZ is still encouraging residents and businesses in the immediate area to keep their doors and windows closed, and for people to stay indoors, in case of flare-ups and smoke issues.

Run-off from the site has primarily gone to the wastewater network.

• Citycare is pumping out remaining contaminants from the stormwater line.
• Two collection areas of oil were found; one by Opawa School, and the other by Radley Park.
• A small amount of oil is flowing downstream with the outgoing tide. Booms have been deployed at the Rutherford Street bridge to collect and contain it.
• Christchurch City Council has closed a manmade section of Heathcote River known as ‘The Cut’, at Connal Street. This is to direct outgoing flows through the natural river loop by The Tannery.
• Water sampling is being carried out at the south of ‘The Cut’.
• FENZ is asking people in the immediate area to keep their doors and windows closed, and to stay indoors in case of flare-ups and smoke issues.

Our incident response team was notified last night of a large fire at the National Steel yard in Woolston.

• The fire is now under control. Some oil has entered the Heathcote River via the stormwater network.
• Our staff remains onsite to minimise any environmental impact from the incident.
• Booms are being used to capture and contain oil which is moving with the tides both upstream and downstream.
• Teams will also be looking for signs of oil along other parts of the river and estuary, and water sampling will be carried out.

Booms are being used to capture and contain any oil.