3 Nov 2016

EPA chief scientist under fire over water quality comments

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 3 November 2016

The newly appointed chief scientist at the Environmental Protection Authority is under fire for claiming the Waikato river is one of the five cleanest rivers in the world. Kathryn Ryan speaks to Dr Marc Schallenberg, the president of the Association of Freshwater Scientists who has pointed out it's not even one of the 30 cleanest waterways in New Zealand. Dr Jacqueline Rowarth is reported to have made the comments at a meeting of farmers and landowners organised by the Primary Land Users Group to discuss concerns that a new initiative aimed at restoring and protecting the Waikato and Waipa rivers could affect their business.