Levels of arsenic higher than the acceptable level for drinking were found in the kindergarten’s’s water supply. Any level of arsenic above 0.01mg per litre is not considered suitable for drinking.
The second and third tests found the levels of arsenic were almost undetectable and well below the safe limit. Like most homes in Hawea Flat, the kindergarten uses a bore for its water supply.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens chief executive Sherryll Wilson said the company decided to re-test the water despite receiving an all-clear from the second test.
"The health and safety of children and staff is of paramount importance to Kidsfirst," she said.
Children no longer had to take bottled water to kindergarten.
For the next year the kindergarten’s water supply would be tested three times each month, she said.
Arsenic occurs naturally in all soil and water and in areas of schist rock, levels can be higher than background level.
