Nitrate levels on the Lower Waihao Rural Water Supply (including Waikakahi East) have breached the maximum accepted value (MAV).
The Waimate District Council on Monday advised all consumers on the respective water supplies to cease the use of the water for direct consumption and cooking.
In a statement, the council said it was continuously monitoring the nitrate level and would advise consumers when it was safe to re-use the water supply.
Residents are encouraged to sign up to NotifyMe, the council’s public notification system to get regular updates about the water supplies.
Greenpeace spokesman Will Appelbe said in a statement that everyone, no matter where they lived, should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap without worrying that they will get sick.
"But for the people of Waimate, that’s simply not the case — once again, their water is undrinkable due to levels of nitrate thanks to dairy industry pollution."
Mr Appelbe said that in 2022, more than 600 residents of the Waimate district had their water shut off after nitrate levels in the Waihao and Waikakahi East rural water scheme exceeded the maximum allowable value.
"At levels of nitrate-nitrogen above 11.3mg/L, there is a high risk of babies developing blue baby syndrome if they are fed formula made with nitrate-contaminated water, and this can be fatal.
"That’s why this is New Zealand’s maximum allowable value of nitrate in drinking water — but even at lower levels of nitrate, a growing field of international science indicates that there are significant health risks.
"This is not the first time this has happened in Waimate, and unless those responsible for the pollution are forced to stop polluting, it won’t be the last."
Mr Appelbe said nitrate levels in drinking water would get worse if the pollution was not addressed at the source, which he said was the intensive dairy industry.
"This should be of grave concern for Waimate residents, and also shows that Environment Canterbury has failed in its responsibility to limit activities that pollute drinking water."
Water for drinking and cooking is available to Lower Waihao Rural Water Supply (including Waikakahi East) users at:
- Glenavy Hall, SH1, Glenavy (tank with tap)
- Morven Hall, MacLean St, Morven (tank with tap)
- 26 Studholme St, Waimate (tap located on street boundary)
— APL
