Water quality testing of the Tui Mine shows there has been a 90 per cent reduction in contaminants of the mine in the Waikato.

The council's river and catchment services group manager, Scott Fowlds, says the most pleasing result is from a site near one of the entrances to the underground mine, the site of the 90 per cent reduction.

Phase one of the Tui Mine remediation work on Mount Te Aroha, aimed at reducing contaminants being discharged in water seeping from the underground workings, is due for completion in June.

Monitoring of water discharges from the mine has been undertaken to track the water quality improvements expected in mine discharges and the Tunakohoia Stream.

He says water quality results from the first round of testing were compared with readings at seven sites in 2009 and all but one measurement showed similar or improved results.

'These results are typical of what we would expect as the first phase of the project nears completion.

'Water quality is expected to show an improvement over time.”

In the case of the one adverse result at one of the mine entrances, Scott says lime slurry will be used to treat areas of the mine not reached in earlier stages of remediation work.

'This should lead to long term improvements in water discharges from this particular entrance in the future.”

Ongoing monitoring of both the Tunakohoia and Tui Streams will start in September 2013 following completion of phase two remedial works.

The monitoring results from the first water quality testing will be on public display in Te Aroha's domain on Sunday, March 18.