There is no immediate risk to public health and no need to be alarmed after small increases in level of arsenic were detected in Waikato River water. Hamilton City Council’s water supply remains safe for drinking, bathing and cleaning.
This assurance to city residents was given by the Hamilton City Council, and further confirmed by New Zealand’s Water Services Authority (updated Thu., 28 Nov).
National Public Health Service regional clinical director, Dr William Rainger says: “People who are drinking water sourced from the Waikato River do not need to be alarmed. The limits in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards are based on the level of risk from a lifetime of drinking the water. Drinking water with slightly elevated levels for a short period of time is unlikely to impact people’s health.
“You do not need to boil your drinking water. It is safe to drink.”
Arsenic levels have been stable in Hamilton’s drinking water for many years at below 0.0100 milligrams per litre. Testing on 19 and 20 November recorded results of 0.0113 and 0.0115 milligrams per litre, slightly above the MAV.
“While we are conducting additional testing, we want to reassure the community that we are taking the advice of Taumata Arowai, the drinking water regulator, and working diligently to make sure our decisions are based on the most accurate information available,” says Maire Porter, Unit Director – Three Waters.
Two drinking water suppliers who treat water from the Waikato River have reported to Taumata Arowai slightly elevated levels of arsenic in recent samples of treated water.
The ‘maximum acceptable value’ for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water is 0.0100 milligrams per litre.
Watercare reported a result to Taumata Arowai of 0.0110 milligrams per litre in a sample taken on November 25.
Hamilton City Council’s testing on 19 and 20 November recorded results of 0.0113 and 0.0115 milligrams per litre, which were also reported to the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai.
Previous samples taken earlier in the month by both water suppliers all showed levels of arsenic below the limit in the drinking water standards. Further sampling has been carried out and Taumata Arowai will receive the results of these today.
Arsenic is known to be elevated in the Waikato River, primarily due to geothermal activity, says Waikato Regional Council Environmental Science manager, Dr Mike Scarsbrook.
For more information, visit https://hamilton.govt.nz/environment-and-sustainability/managing-our-water/drinking-water-supply
– from NewsViews
