September 17th, 2024
Greenpeace Aotearoa has formally addressed Te Whatu Ora and other stakeholders with a pressing alert on the high levels of nitrate in Canterbury's drinking water, which present a serious risk to public health.
The big picture: Comprehensive testing reveals widespread contamination
Wide-scale testing: Over the past weekend, Greenpeace conducted water quality tests in North Canterbury, analysing 445 samples. Results showed that towns including Darfield, Kirwee, and Oxford had nitrate levels exceeding the 5 mg/L mark, a threshold linked to significant health risks.
Ongoing issue: This isn't the first instance; previous tests identified similar problems in towns like Dromore, Fairton, and Hinds, all consistently recording above the 5 mg/L limit.
Link to Nitrate Map from Greenpeace
Here's Amanda Larsson talking about the health impacts of nitrate contamination of rural people's drinking water by the dairy industry and our call on @TeWhatuOra and @ECan to take action. pic.twitter.com/SFkoX1e3kA
— Greenpeace Aotearoa (@GreenpeaceNZ) April 24, 2024
What they're saying: 'A fundamental human right'
Amanda Larsson, Greenpeace Aotearoa’s Head of Campaigns, reiterated the human right to safe drinking water and urged government bodies to take immediate action.
“Safe, healthy drinking water is a fundamental human right, and currently, rural communities in Canterbury are facing a potential increase in health risks because their drinking water is increasingly contaminated with nitrate,” said Larsson.
Details: The evidence and the risks
Research findings: The current maximum allowable value for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3 mg/L, criticised as outdated by experts like Professor Michael Baker. Emerging research links even lower levels, as low as 1 mg/L, to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, and prenatal exposure to these levels to preterm births and low birth weight.
Health implications: Public health studies estimate that nitrate-contaminated water could be causing approximately 100 colorectal cancer cases and 40 deaths annually in New Zealand.
And here you can browse the Know Your Nitrate Maphttps://t.co/9VcGcezW0v
— Greenpeace Aotearoa (@GreenpeaceNZ) April 24, 2024
The bottom line: 'We need an immediate response'
Call for action: Greenpeace has called on Te Whatu Ora to respond to this crisis and outline measures to protect the health of the Canterbury community. The letter strongly emphasises the urgency of implementing solutions to reduce nitrate levels, which primarily involve addressing pollution from agricultural sources such as dairy cattle, sheep, and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers.
