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Authorities initially thought it might be a localised problem, but Tuesday’s tests results showed lead in the reservoir that supplies both towns. Karitāne School Board of Trustees chairwoman Jane Schofield said the water in the area has never been great and for 12 years she has been driving to and from Dunedin in order to get drinking water. “We have carted water from town [Dunedin] because the water is revolting here. And now to find out that it s actually not even safe to be consuming, it s just horrifying,” Schofield said. Authorities have warned residents not to boil the water, saying that does not remove lead but instead increases its concentration.
Water in two tiny NZ towns has toxic levels of lead. Locals weren t warned for a month because staffer was on holiday
2 Feb, 2021 05:54 PM
4 minutes to read
Residents of Karitāne (pictured) and Waikouaiti were told afternoon to stop using their tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food. Photo / file
RNZ
by Anan Zaki of RNZ
People in two coastal Otago towns are shocked at the length of time it took authorities to warn them about toxic levels of lead in their water.
Residents of Karitāne and Waikouaiti were told yesterday afternoon to stop using their tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food.
It was picked up at some point after the New Year.
The test sample had been taken on 8 December.
Authorities initially thought it might be a localised problem, but yesterday test results showed lead in the reservoir that supplies both towns.
Karitāne School Board of Trustees chairperson Jane Schofield said the water in the area had never been great, and for 12 years she had been driving to and from Dunedin in order to get drinking water. We have carted water from town [Dunedin] because the water is revolting here. And now to find out that it s actually not even safe to be consuming, it s just horrifying, Schofield said.