People in the Nelson community of Mapua say they have been treated like guinea pigs in a mis-managed clean-up of a former chemical company site.
They are demanding answers after the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has concluded that a decision to clean-up the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site, rather than trying to contain the contamination, was a mistake.
Community Association president Devin Gallagher says residents have put up with the project for more than a decade, but the end is not yet in sight.
He says mercury levels have to be checked, groundwater contamination dealt with and a health impact report issued.
The work took nearly four years and cost $8 million. The commissioner's report was expected more than a year ago.
The clean-up was meant to remove highly toxic residues, including DDT and dieldrin, left in the soil after 40 years of manufacturing there.
But the report has revealed that the clean-up and the management of it, was flawed. There are concerns about high mercury levels at the site and contamination of water from chemicals used in the treatment process.
Commissioner Dr Jan Wright says that sealing the three hectare site would have been a better option.
The report says DDT, lindane, nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen have exceeded the limits in the resource consent.
Ministry 'did nothing'
In addition, Dr Wright says the Ministry for the Environment has taken no effective action to reduce the leaking of these chemicals into the Waimea Inlet and into groundwater wells.
Two further reports are still to be completed.
One is by the Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health, Jill Sherwood. The other is from the Department of Labour.
