A Waikato dairy farmer fined $35,625 for allowing large volumes of dairy effluent to overflow into the environment.
The Te Kowhai dairy farmer Edward Smith, was convicted and fined in the Hamilton District Court.
The Waikato Regional Council identified the contamination during a routine inspection in March 2017.
An overflowing effluent holding pond and blocked effluent drainage pipe resulted in the overland flows of dairy effluent.
Judge Melanie Harland said the inadequacies of the effluent infrastructure on Mr Smiths farm was 'barely adequate' and concluding that the management of the system was 'woefully inadequate'.
"Investment in the effluent infrastructure, and the management of it, needs to be afforded a very high priority" said Waikato investigations manager, Patrick Lynch.
"This fine is yet another clear message from the court that people who do not take their environmental responsibilities seriously will be heavily penalised."
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