Water bores have ‘room to improve’

• Published date: 01 December 2022
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

“People who consume untreated water from a contaminated well could become very ill,” Horizons groundwater scientist Stephen Collins said

“So, it’s important Horizons works with owners to ensure they are aware of the risks and how to mitigate them.”

Collins said groundwater in Whanganui was used for municipal drinking water, industry and farming, and the quality was generally good.

“There is still a need for landowners to ensure their bores are secure and properly constructed to prevent potential contamination from the surface making its way down to groundwater.”

Collins said there was room for improvement in groundwater bores across Whanganui and the rest of the Horizons region.

“We generally have good groundwater quality around the region, but we acknowledge there are also hot spots for nitrate and occasionally other contaminants.

“Where we have long-term trends available, these often show improving trends. However, there is definitely room for improvement in the general condition of bores that we see around the region,” he said.

National groundwater monitoring results published by the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (Lawa) project last week showed the Horizons region ranks in the middle in terms of national groundwater quality.

“Unsecure wells represent a potential pathway for pathogens such as E. coli to enter groundwater from the surface, posing a risk to surrounding...