This was in response to rising concerns about the impact nitrates from farming runoff were having on both river biodiversity and human health, with recent studies linking high nitrate levels to both bowel cancer rates and the risk of premature births. Greenpeace held previous testing sessions in May at Dunsandel and Woodend, and concerned Selwyn residents also held a session in Springston last year, with one local’s water weighing in at 14mg/L. The current safe level in New Zealand, as mandated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is 11.3mg/L.
STACY SQUIRES/Stuff
Selwyn residents with private wells on their property were given the opportunity to test nitrate levels in their water in May.