A dairy farmer in Canterbury has been fined almost $20,000 for illegally discharging effluent.
Action was taken against Groundwater Holdings after effluent was discharged directly from a stock underpass to a paddock and a tree line on the Leeston property.
In his ruling, the judge said the company should have acted sooner to find a better solution to the groundwater issues at the underpass.
The Canterbury regional council says the fine sends a clear message that poor effluent management is not acceptable.
Resource management director Kim Drummond says the prosecution was one of three during the 2012-13 dairy season, which also included nine abatement notices and 11 infringement notices issues.
