The public are being urged to be cautious after 3000 litres of diluted weed spray spilled into streams near Waikino today.

The public is being warned off using water from the Taiari Stream and the Ohinemuri River near the Karangahake Gorge for the time being.

The Ohinemuri Stream near Waikino.

The Waikato Regional Council is assessing the environmental impacts of the spill and has advised health authorities so they can provide appropriate health advice to the public.

'In the meantime, we're urging people to be very cautious about using water from these waterways until the situation is clearer,” says council compliance and education manager Rob Dragten.

A spray contractor's truck left the road near the corner of Waitawheta and Kennedy Roads at Waikino this morning dumping several tonnes of diluted glyphosate into the Taiari Stream, which leads to the Ohinemuri River.

'The local Hauraki District Council has been advised and they have confirmed there are no risks to their public water supplies from the spill,” says Rob.

'We're seeking detailed information on the potential effects of this spray in waterways so we can better assess the likely environmental impacts and what action is needed.”

Council staff have checked the stream up to 2km downstream from the accident site and seen no sign of effects on aquatic life.

'So we're hopeful the spill will have had minimal impact on eels, fish and other stream life,” says compliance and education manager Rob Dragten.

'But we'd ask the public to be on the lookout and report any signs of problems with aquatic life in the Taiari Stream and Ohinemuri River.

'Council staff have taken water samples from the stream and these will take a few days to analyse so we can tell how diluted the spray has become.

'Until those test results are through, the Waikato District Health Board has advised people should take a precautionary approach and avoid contact with Taiari steam water downstream of the crash site. If they do have contact and subsequently have health concerns they should contact their doctor.”

Meanwhile, the local Hauraki District Council has confirmed there are no risks to their public water supplies from the spill.