Only 1% of domestic wells mapped were in areas predicted to have nitrate concentrations below 1mg/L and almost half (49%) were in areas predicted to have concentrations within a range of 3.5 to 8.5mg/L, with a further 5% predicted to exceed 8.5mg/L, with some of these above 11.3mg/L.
The maximum allowable nitrate in drinking water is 11.3mg/L, but the National College of Midwives has warned pregnant women about levels exceeding 5mg/L risking preterm birth and low birthweights and public health academics have said levels below this may be a concern, including as a cause of colorectal cancer.
Ms Prickett said any level above 3.5mg/L was indicative of “serious degradation of environmental health let alone public health”.
@rimu@piefed.social which is why get my well water tested. And drink ro water where tap water fails the test
NZ produces enough food stuffs to feed 40 million people, perhaps we could do with slightly less dairy farming.
