23 March 2009 Media Statement

One in five New Zealanders drinking ‘at risk’ water

Drinking water standards, which if implemented would protect the one in five New Zealanders who still drink at-risk water, are being reviewed by the Government.

Labour’s water quality spokesman, Brendon Burns, says Local Government Minister Rodney Hide told a community board conference in Christchurch last Friday that the new standards are ‘ridiculous.’

The comments emerge as World Water Day was yesterday marked around the planet to focus on the importance of safe drinking water supplies.

“Mr Hide is not alone in seeking to reject new water standards. One of the 20 suggestions of the recent jobs summit was a moratorium on the new water and air standards,” Brendon Burns said.

“This Government is completely ignoring its own Ministry of Health which only last month published its annual review of drinking water quality. It shows that 20 percent of New Zealanders are drinking water that isn’t tested for killer diseases like E coli and giardia or fails to meet the minimum standards.

“This means as many as 800,000 New Zealanders – not to mention tourists on whom the Prime Minister puts much focus – are drinking water that by world measure is not safe,” Brendon Burns said.

“The Ministry of Health is calling for urgent corrective action by councils in the Buller, Westland, Hurunui, Waitaki, Kawerau,Tararua and South Wairarapa districts, because the water is simply not safe to drink.

“As a government, Labour recognized the challenge posed to smaller councils and introduced funding of $136m over ten years to help them lift water quality standards,” Brendon Burns said.

“Continuation of this funding is now in question. Mr Hide signalled in Parliament earlier this month that it is now up to councils and small communities to meet the costs of meeting minimum standards.”

Brendon Burns says New Zealand’s reputation as a first-world country and as a tourist destination is in jeopardy when Kiwis and visitors cannot rely on the basic human right of being safe when drinking tap water.

ENDS

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