A Bay of Plenty dairy farmer has been fined $54,395 for discharging effluent where it might enter water.
Alexander Paul Atkinson was sentenced in the Environment Court in Tauranga on Wednesday in relation to a mechanical breakdown in November last year, on the farm he was managing.
An irrigator stalled in a paddock on Glenholme Farms, which resulted in effluent flowing to a farm drain which entered a tributary of the Nukuhou River.
Judge Jeff Smith said steps were taken afterwards to minimise the environmental effect on the river.
He also said the offence was negligence rather than a deliberate attempt to pollute nearby waterways.
Glenholme Farms has been ordered to pay $36,000 plus court costs and Mr Atkinson has been personally fined $17,000, also plus court courts.
