He explained that mussels filtered water and silt, and were sometimes used to clean contaminated areas. “Mussels are incredible creatures in that they re just great big pumps,” he said. “Keep in mind that bacteria can t survive once they re mixed in salt water. By the time we re open for harvesting in this part of the world, any contamination will be long dissipated.” “The environment itself is marvellous at diluting, dissipating and killing off the bacteria,” he said.
Concerns for the welfare of mussel farming in the Marlborough Sounds were sparked after sewerage spilled into the estuary at Havelock. Marlborough District Council advised residents on Tuesday that a sewer pipe in Havelock along Mahakipawa Road to the oxidation ponds had been damaged during the flooding.