'Hard Water' In The Spotlight In Hurunui

Wednesday, 20 August 2025, 2:25 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A North Canterbury council is investigating solutions to address health concerns in a local water supply. 

Hurunui District Council chief operations officer Daniel Harris says the council has received feedback from residents at Leithfield, Leithfield Beach and Amberley about the ‘‘hardness levels experienced’’ in local water supplies. 

A Leithfield Beach resident has reached out on social media to express concerns about hard-water mineral deposits in the village’s water supply which is aggravating a skin condition. Mr Harris said the council set aside funding in its 2024/34 Long Term Plan to address water hardness concerns in next year’s budget. 

‘‘This type of water treatment plant is a new concept for the district and remains uncommon across New Zealand. ‘‘As a result, a thorough investigation is currently under way to identify a solution that is fit for purpose, cost-effective, and reliable. ‘‘Home treatment devices are available from retailers and this is something a number of houses in the area have installed.’’ 

Mr Harris said the water supply met the standards set by water regulator Taumata Arowai for aesthetic hardness values, with the limit for hardness being around 200 milligrams per litre. The Leithfield Beach bore has a five year average of 115mg/L. 

‘‘Given the local geology, the bore is fairly typical of Canterbury groundwater, containing elevated levels of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium compared to water sourced from shallow bores or surface-water,’’ he said. 

The council’s website includes advice to minimise the effects of elevated hardness, such as the use of a sacrificial anode in hot water cylinders. Mr Harris said the council has invested in upgrading drinking water supplies throughout the district over the last decade to meet the national drinking water standards. 

With this work largely complete, the council has shifted it focus to addressing community concerns regarding aesthetic water quality issues, he said. The council is in the process of forming a joint water services council controlled organisation with the Kaikōura District Council, so this work will likely pass to the new entity. 

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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