Chemicals in Bulls water

An investigation has begun into how toxic chemicals got into the Bulls water supply, after they were found by Defence Force testing. The Bulls water supply was tested for the group of chemicals associated with contaminated drinking water at properties near Ohakea airbase, said Defence Force senior communications adviser Phil Murray. Samples were taken after testing was requested by Rangit¯ıkei District Council, ‘‘to enable the council to provide reassurance to their residents about their water supply’’, Murray said. Results showed the chemicals present in four of the five bores and in the supply network. Council chief executive Ross Mcneil said the levels were well below the threshold level in drinking water guidelines. In December, the Defence Force revealed chemicals from toxic firefighting foams, which have been linked to a range of illnesses including cancer, had been found at levels higher than current guidelines in water under Ohakea and Woodbourne airbases, and testing was taking place at surrounding properties. Water contamination was found at unsafe levels at 15 properties, and people had been drinking the water at seven properties. The Ministry of Health has advised there should be no health concerns given the very low levels found in the Bulls water supply, and therefore no reason not to keep using the water, Mcneil said. Because the chemicals can travel ‘‘some distance’’ in groundwater, investigations were now being carried out to find where the chemicals are most likely to have come from. New samples from the Bulls water supply were taken this week to be re-tested by the Defence Force.