Water still contaminated

Toxic chemicals continue to be detected in the water supplies near two Defence Force bases, a year after the contamination was revealed.

The results come from the latest in a series of tests investigating the toxic foam contamination around the O¯ hakea and Woodbourne air force bases to nearby land.

Ministry for the Environment chief operating officer Clair Richardson said the contamination levels remained consistent with the previous three rounds of testing – which officials continued to advise did not pose a significant risk to public health.

‘‘Currently, there is no consistent evidence that environmental exposures at the low levels New Zealanders are generally exposed to will cause harmful health effects.’’

Testing began in December 2017, after officials admitted there was a potential problem.

The foam, which is mostly used in training to fight fuel fires, was banned in 2006 because it contains harmful chemicals.

The fourth stage of testing examined ground and surface water samples taken in September this year. The second and third stages took place in February, March and in May.

Of the 112 groundwater samples taken from the land surrounding the Woodbourne base in September, two exceeded the interim safety guidelines for drinking water.

Richardson said both properties had shown similar contamination levels in the previous testing rounds, and were already on alternative water supplies.

‘‘A similar percentage of the surface water samples [also] showed detectable levels of contamination,’’ she said.

‘‘However, no landowners or occupants have indicated that these sites are used for stock watering or irrigation.’’

In Manawatu¯ , 14 of the 65 ground water samples taken from around O¯ hakea exceeded the guidelines

Alternative drinking water supplies have been offered to everyone at the affected properties as a precaution until all the testing is done.

Richardson said the Government was looking to develop a detailed map of where exactly the foam was in the water systems near the bases and how it might change in the future.