Air quality data and pollution complaints from around Otago have both dipped slightly year-on-year, the Otago Regional Council says.

Data collected by the ORC between May and August reveal a lower number of high pollution days and separate pollution data on complaints numbers showed a decline of 12.3 percent.

ORC manager compliance Tami Sargeant says the most common air complaints related to smoky chimneys and outdoor burning.

She said there were 170 complaints this winter.

“Compliance action has included sending out educational letters to alleged offenders in relation to domestic chimney and outdoor burning complaints, as well as issuing one abatement notice and six infringement notices for alleged breaches of the air plan,” she said.

Last year more than 40 complaints were made in Hāwea in a single day because of smoke from a burnoff at land owned by Universal Developments in Lake Hāwea.

ORC air quality scientist Sarah Harrison said the warmer winter this year has likely played some role in the reduced number of complaints and lower pollution.

Sarah has been looking at the number of high pollution days, where there were exceedances of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality for particulate matter (PM10), emitted by solid-fuel burners for home heating.

“This [2022] winter had fewer exceedances than last year, but temperature trends over recent years have been warmer winters than average,” she said.

Sarah said the main pollutant of concern in Otago is particulate matter, a product of combustion, produced by emissions from solid fuel burners during winter.

A long-term study into air pollution in Otago released last year showed that while there had been improvements more work was needed.

See also: ‘More work needed on Otago air quality’

Anyone seeing pollution around Otago should contact the 24/7 ORC Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033, or email [email protected]

PHOTO: Supplied