Update on arsenic levels in Waipā

Waipā water is still safe to use, with today’s test results showing a continued small reduction in the levels of arsenic in the district’s treated drinking water.

The results received this afternoon recorded 0.0128 and 0.0131 milligrams per litre from the two main treatment plants, down from 0.0129 and 0.0143 yesterday, and the original results of 0.0138 and 0.0145.

The maximum acceptable standard for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water is 0.01 milligrams per litre.

Water services manager Karl Pavlovich said the council has now added the Alpha Street water treatment plant to the testing regime, to ensure it is up to standard when it comes into use over the summer period. The Alpha Street plant results were 0.0125 milligrams per litre this afternoon, down from 0.0126 yesterday.

“We will continue to test daily,” Pavlovich said. “The water remains safe for drinking, bathing, and cleaning, and there is no need for people to boil it.”

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai and Health New Zealand have confirmed that drinking water with slightly elevated arsenic levels for a short period of time is unlikely to impact health, while New Zealand Food Safety says the levels detected are not harmful to animals or to food production.

Waipā draws its water from the Waikato River, which has naturally-occurring arsenic levels generated by geothermal activity.

Testing is done by Hill Laboratories, Hamilton.

You can keep up to date with the latest test results and information on our website waipadc.govt.nz/arsenic-levels