Greenpeace has once again sounded the alarm over what it described as a “public health crisis” in Canterbury, following a water testing event in Oxford on Sunday that revealed concerning nitrate levels in several bore water supplies.
The testing found that some water supplies exceeded the maximum allowable value of nitrate in drinking water, raising fresh concerns over the region’s water quality.
The organisation’s testing also showed that the Darfield public water supply now averages around 6 mg/L of nitrate—an increase of 1 mg/L compared to six months ago.
Additionally, the Oxford Rural 1 public supply continues to show nitrate levels linked to a higher risk of preterm birth, signalling persistent contamination.
Greenpeace freshwater spokesperson Will Appelbe said, “Everyone should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap, without fear of getting sick. But sadly, the samples we tested in Oxford are not outliers, and many people in Canterbury are drinking water with levels of nitrate that put them at risk of increased health impacts.”
Appelbe criticised the dairy industry, blaming nitrate contamination on “diffuse pollution” from intensive dairy farming. “Put simply, there are too many cows in Canterbury, and nitrate from the oversized dairy herd is making its way into people’s drinking water,” he said.
Concerns were also raised about recent government actions affecting water protections.
Appelbe accused the Luxon Government of “stripping away” safeguards for lakes, rivers, and drinking water through changes to the Resource Management Act.
“This is damning evidence that the Government is not acting in the best interests of rural communities,” he said, warning that people in towns like Darfield and Oxford were facing an increased risk of health problems such as bowel cancer and preterm birth.
Scientific research has suggested that long-term exposure to nitrate in drinking water, even at levels as low as 1 mg/L, can heighten the risk of bowel cancer. The New Zealand College of Midwives also advises that pregnant people consider alternative water sources if their supply reaches or exceeds 5 mg/L, due to the associated risk of preterm birth.
Appelbe called for urgent action, stating that the problem “will get worse before it gets better.” He argued that phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, reducing irrigation, and decreasing the number of cows on farms were crucial steps. “If Luxon’s Government won’t take these actions, then regional councils like Environment Canterbury must do so. It’s their responsibility to protect the residents of towns like Darfield and Oxford who are at increased risk of adverse health impacts due to nitrate contamination,” he added.
