Waimate's water safe to drink again

Nitrate levels in the Waimate water supply have reduced and the water can now be consumed again.

Levels on the Lower Waihao Rural Water Scheme exceeded the maximum safe level of 50mg/L on 2 December, and stop drinking notice was put in place for about 650 households.

Waimate District Council said in a statement staff had been able to reduce the nitrate concentration in to approximately 26mg/L using an alternative supply from the Waitaki River.

Nitrate samples had been taken from a number of different locations throughout the distribution network and all samples have shown a reduction in nitrates levels to well within the acceptable limit.

If households had experienced limited turnover in their water storage tanks since Tuesday, 10 December, the council advised consumers to release around a quarter of their tank storage to ensure fresh water was circulating through.

It suggested using the discharged water to give gardens a good watering or washing vehicles.

The temporary take set up from the Waitaki River would likely be in place for a number of months while plans were finalised for a more permanent solution for a water take in a different location.

The existing alternative water supply tanks at the Glenavy and Morven Halls would remain in place for the next few months, ensuring all residents continue to have access to safe drinking water in the event of another spike in nitrates.

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