On Monday, Greenpeace released a statement saying Lumsden’s water supply tested at 6.14mg per litre of nitrate the previous day, which was above the 5mg/L threshold for increased risk of preterm birth.
But the Southland District Council, which manages the supply, said there was no cause for concern.
This was ‘‘well below’’ New Zealand’s 11.3mg/L limit for nitrates in drinking water, he said.
‘‘Based on these standards, the Lumsden drinking water supply is safe to drink, and there is no immediate public health risk identified under the regulatory framework.’’
Mr Johnson said the town’s supply was tested thoroughly every month and no readings had come back over the legal limit.
However, Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe described it as a ‘‘public health crisis’’.
Mr Appelbe said a 1mg/L threshold was associated with increased risk of bowel cancer and referenced information from the New Zealand College of Midwives which recommended pregnant women consider alternative water sources if their local water exceeded the 5mg/L threshold.
The environmental organisation called on all district councils to make nitrate test results public.
In response, Mr Johnson said the council acknowledged organisations could adopt different thresholds or interpretations relating to health.
‘‘While these perspectives can contribute to broader public discussion, council’s responsibility is to manage drinking water in accordance with national standards set by health authorities, which are designed to protect public health.’’
On the topic of transparency, he said the council provided information on water quality through reporting processes and responded to requests.
‘‘Unfortunately, routine testing figures are often open to misinterpretation and unqualified comment.’’
Greenpeace’s concerns come at a time when Environment Southland has been criticised for downplaying the role of dairy on drinking water pollution.
The Otago Daily Times recently found the regional council removed references to dairy farms from a communication plan for the publicising of a nitrate contamination report.
That report, titled Nitrogen Contamination in Southland Groundwater, identified the following areas as being nitrate ‘‘hot spots’’: Balfour/Waimea Plains, Wendonside Terrace, Five Rivers/Castlerock, Edendale, Knapdale, Mabel Bush/Woodlands, Central Plains/Waimatuku and Otahu Flat.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
