- Nitrate levels in Gore’s water supply have remained below limits for three days straight
- Continuous monitoring will continue this week despite lifting the do not drink notice
- Council praises community response and staff dedication during the recent water issue
The Gore District Council has officially lifted the do not drink notice for the town’s water supply after three consecutive days of safe testing results. The nitrate levels across the network have remained well below the Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) of 11.3 mg/L, with tests carried out twice on Monday 21 July confirming the drop.
Taumata Arowai, the national drinking water regulator, requires three clear days of testing following any spike to ensure water safety.
Gore District Council General Manager of Critical Services, Jason Domigan, said he was relieved to lift the notice and thanked the public for their cooperation. “Our team have also put in some big hours over the weekend so there’ll be some big sighs of relief down at the treatment plant. The guys down there work so hard to keep our water safe and they’ve been just gutted by something they have little control over.”
Recent test results showed nitrate levels were 7.7 mg/L at the East Gore Water Treatment Plant. Coopers Well 3 tested at 1.46 mg/L and Coopers Well 4 at 10.8 mg/L. While these levels are now safe, further investigation is underway to determine the source of the spike.
“We’ll be working with Environment Southland and Taumata Arowai to try and find out where these increased nitrates came from. We’ve also got a unit coming in this week that will test the water at the bores and WTP constantly for nitrates, so we’ll have another level of data to identify trends and mitigate quickly,” Mr Domigan said.
He added that despite the lifted notice, continued monitoring would remain in place for the rest of the week due to the elevated reading at Coopers Well Bore 4. “If we see any change or increase in nitrate levels, we will continue to keep everyone informed. The health of our community remains our priority.”
Residents are also advised to flush their systems if they’ve been using water for non-drinking purposes. “If you are unsure, you can run your taps for a few minutes to flush the water through prior to drinking,” Mr Domigan said.
A water tanker will remain available at the Eccles Street Playground for those still seeking an alternative source. The Council will continue sharing updates on its website and social media channels.