Dunedin City Council has revealed that one of its failed lead sample tests had in fact returned a level almost 40 times the acceptable limit.
Water tankers for Waikouaiti and Karitane after high lead levels found in the water.
Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Previously, it had said the test sample taken on 8 December last year was only four times the allowable level. One of the intermittent spikes in lead levels, a sample taken on 8 December 2020, was also incorrectly stated in one earlier radio interview to be four times the acceptable level of 10 micrograms/L, the council said in a statement. In fact, at 0.39mg/L, the sample is almost 40 times the acceptable level of 0.01mg/L.
Lead in Otago water found at 40 times acceptable levels
4 Feb, 2021 05:16 AM
6 minutes to read
• Six tests show elevated lead levels.
• First test results showing elevated lead levels in August.
• Elevated lead levels at Waikouaiti Golf Club (4 times), Karitane Bowls Club (1), Waikouaiti raw water reservoir (1).
• No-drink notice issued Feb 2 (after reservoir test result received Jan 29).
• Two test results emailed to DCC on Dec 18 not opened until Jan 7.
• DCC changes email procedures.
The highest level of lead in the water in Waikouaiti was almost 40 times acceptable levels - not four times as previously reported by the Dunedin City Council.
Meanwhile, Mayor Aaron Hawkins has welcomed the Ministry of Health s announcement that blood tests would be made available to 1500 residents in Waikouaiti and nearby Karitane.
Tuesday, 2 February 2021, 3:21 pm
The Dunedin City Council and Public Health South are
advising residents in Waikouaiti and Karitane not to use tap
water for drinking, cooking or preparing food until further
notice.
The advice comes as officials work to
understand the cause behind significantly elevated lead
levels detected at two drinking water sampling sites in the
community and the raw water reservoir.
DCC 3 Waters
Group Manager Tom Dyer says the elevated levels were
discovered during recent sampling, with the unusual results
reported to the drinking water assessor and checked to
ensure they were accurate.
As a result, Southern DHB
Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Jack is recommending
Press Release – Dunedin City Council The Dunedin City Council and Public Health South are advising residents in Waikouaiti and Karitane not to use tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food until further notice. The advice comes as officials work to understand the cause behind significantly …
The Dunedin City Council and Public Health South are advising residents in Waikouaiti and Karitane not to use tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food until further notice.
The advice comes as officials work to understand the cause behind significantly elevated lead levels detected at two drinking water sampling sites in the community and the raw water reservoir.