What’s in your water? Find out

Residents will have the chance to find out exactly what’s in their drinking water at this weekend’s A&P Show.

New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers are encouraging Nelson Tasman residents, particularly those with private water supplies, to bring along a sample of water to have the nitrate levels tested.

NZFFA secretary and Nelson resident David Haynes, says the federation began testing water from 20 low-lying creeks in Canterbury about three years ago.

“We were quite concerned with the nitrate levels in the waterways in Canterbury,” he says.

“We started testing down there and we saw alarming levels of nitrates and loss of invertebrates and stream life in general.”

They then started testing private water supplies and the results were varied.

“People bought the water and, bugger me, the levels in ground water down there are really high,” David says.

The World Health Organisations says 11.3mg per litre is the highest amount that should be consumed by humans.  Above that there is a range of health risks including high correlations in bowel cancer.

For the first time, the NZFFA will now offer the service to Nelson Tasman residents.

“First of all it’s about giving people information. If you’re informed you can start to make decisions.”

He says there’re limited options for people if their levels are high.

“So, we’re simply doing it so people can understand what their nitrate levels are just to raise awareness of the issue. It used to be just an environmental issue because of fish life, but now it’s a human health problem.”

David expects to see a range of readings.

“We’ll  get a whole range of issues. I’m fascinated to see how that maps out.

“I want as many people as possible to come.”

David says to bring about 100ml of fresh water from your tap. If you collect it days before, put it in the fridge. The results take just minutes and you can find them at stand 21 at the Richmond A&P show on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November.