Gore Water Nitrate Levels Continuing to Drop

The Gore District Council is reporting continued improvement in nitrate levels in the Gore water supply.

Testing carried out today returned readings of 7.64 milligrams per litre (mg/L) and 7.44mg/L from the morning and midday samples respectively. The national maximum acceptable value (MAV) for nitrates in drinking water is 11.3mg/L.

GM Critical Assets Jason Domigan said the team was very pleased to see levels continuing to fall following a precautionary notice issued over the weekend.

“These results are a really positive sign.

“They show that the dilution work we’ve been doing since power was restored is having the desired effect.”

The precautionary notice was issued after last week’s storm and widespread power outages, which affected the pumps at Cooper’s Wells. Once power was restored, Council staff resumed pumping water from the Mataura River into the Well to reduce nitrate concentrations.

However, the process has not been without challenges. Debris from the Mataura River, washed down by the storm, has repeatedly blocked the intake pump, requiring staff to manually clean it regularly.

Mr Domigan acknowledged the efforts of staff - “it’s been a huge team effort to keep the system running”.

Council will pause water sampling tomorrow to give the team a well-earned break but will continue to monitor the pump at Cooper’s Well.

As a precautionary measure, the water tanker at Eccles Street playground will remain in place for residents who wish to fill their own containers.

“The key message is that Gore’s drinking water remains safe, nitrate levels are below the national limit, and they’re trending downward,” Mr Domigan said.

Council will provide an update if the situation changes.