Lower Waihao Nitrate Update - CEASE WATER CONSUMPTION
Nitrates levels within Lower Waihao Rural Water Supply (inc. Waikakahi East) have breached the maximum accepted value (MAV) for nitrates. All consumers on the respective water supplies should cease the use of the water for direct consumption and cooking.
Water for drinking and cooking is available to all Lower Waihao Rural Water Supply (inc. Waikakahi East) users at the following supply points:
• Glenavy Hall, SH 1, Glenavy (Tank with tap)
• Morven Hall, MacLean Street, Morven (Tank with tap)
• 26 Studholme Street, Waimate (Tap located on street boundary)
Council is continuously monitoring the nitrates level and will advise consumers when it is safe to reuse the water supplies.
All residents are encouraged to sign up to NotifyMe, Council’s public notification system to get regular updates about the water supplies. To sign up go to waimatedc.govt.nz/notifyme
Information regarding nitrate levels can also be found here.
UPDATE: 29 November
Elevated nitrate levels of 49mg/L of Nitrate NO3 (29 November 2024) have been detected at the source of the water supply and may rise further. The maximum acceptable value is 50mg/L for compliance with the Drinking Water Standards. Nitrates have the potential to cause health issues, with an increased level of risk to both pregnant woman and infants under six months of age. The risk to a healthy adult is low but caution is advised.
Please note, the usual method of boiling of water does not remove nitrates.
To ensure safe drinking water is available to all Lower Waihao Water Scheme users, water from alternative sources is available at the following locations for the community to access:
- Glenavy Hall, SH 1, Glenavy
- Morven Hall, MacLean Street, Morven
- Studholme Street, Waimate (Potable Water tap)
Whilst currently still fully compliant with the Drinking Water Standards the alternate supply points can be accessed by all consumers on the Lower Waihao and Waikakahi East water supplies. Council is continuously monitoring nitrates within the supply and are working through complex options for a solution to this issue.
Further information regarding nitrates in drinking water, and the current nitrate levels in the water scheme can be found here.
Dan Mitchell
Asset Group Manager
____________________________________________________
UPDATE: 25 November
Elevated nitrate levels of 47mg/L of Nitrate NO3 (25 November 2024) have been detected at the source of the water supply and may rise further. The maximum acceptable value is 50mg/L for compliance with the Drinking Water Standards. Nitrates have the potential to cause health issues, with an increased level of risk to both pregnant woman and infants under six months of age. The risk to a healthy adult is low but caution is advised.
Please note, the usual method of boiling of water does not remove nitrates.
To ensure safe drinking water is available to all Lower Waihao Water Scheme users, water from alternative sources is available at the following locations for the community to access:
- Glenavy Hall, SH 1, Glenavy
- Morven Hall, MacLean Street, Morven
- Studholme Street, Waimate (Potable Water tap)
Whilst currently still fully compliant with the Drinking Water Standards the alternate supply points can be accessed by all consumers on the Lower Waihao and Waikakahi East water supplies. Council is continuously monitoring nitrates within the supply and are working through complex options for a solution to this issue.
Further information regarding nitrates in drinking water, and the current nitrate levels in the water scheme can be found here.
Dan Mitchell
Asset Group Manager
____________________________________________________
UPDATE: 18 November
Monitoring of the nitrates in the Lower Waihao Rural Water Scheme (including Waikakahi East) has shown that the nitrate level is currently 45mg/l.
It is important to reassure the community that the water remains safe to drink and is compliant with the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.
Council continues to undertake regular sampling at the water source, with these samples independently tested by an accredited laboratory. Council also has an online nitrate probe to monitor the nitrate levels in real-time, so simply put, we are keeping very close tabs on the situation.
Council would like to remind consumers that alternative supply water tanks can be found at:
• Glenavy Hall, SH1, Glenavy
• Morven Hall, MacLean Street, Morven
• Glenavy Fishing Camp
• Glenavy School
Please note, boiling water does not remove nitrates.
