Defence Force Issues Apology for Elevated Lead and Aluminum Levels in Waiouru Water
Last month, residents of Waiouru were taken aback when it was revealed that their drinking water contained high levels of lead and aluminum. The Defence Force, responsible for the water supply, has since issued a public apology for causing confusion and distress among the community due to a delayed notification about the contamination.
The test results, received on January 23rd, indicated that aluminum levels were five times higher than the acceptable limit, at 5.12g/m³ compared to the maximum allowable level of 1.0g/m³. Additionally, lead was found to be above the standard at 0.016g/m³, exceeding the 0.01g/m³ threshold. Despite these concerning results, locals were only informed nearly a week later, as the Defence Force admitted to making an erroneous decision in withholding the information.
Health authorities reassured residents that the health risks associated with the contaminated water were minimal. The Defence Force emphasized that the aluminum concentration was lower than what could typically be found in a cup of tea. Furthermore, immediate actions were taken to flush the system, resulting in levels dropping below the recommended thresholds.
Mark Brunton, the head of estate and infrastructure at the Defence Force, expressed regret over the mishandling of the situation, stating, “The initial community advisory did not contain the test results themselves, nor an explicit warning that the levels were above.” He acknowledged the distress caused to the Waiouru community and emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust through improved communication and transparency in the future.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the root cause of the contamination. While previous concerns had been raised regarding heavy metal levels around the Waiouru base due to ammunition used in exercises, Brunton indicated that this incident was believed to have originated from the water treatment process. Common aluminum compounds are typically added to purify water, which may have led to the elevated levels. Additionally, the high lead level was likely attributed to contamination of the test sample itself.
Moving forward, the Defence Force is committed to addressing the issue promptly and ensuring the safety of the community’s water supply. By learning from this incident and implementing necessary changes, they aim to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In the midst of health and safety concerns, the residents of Waiouru can rest assured that measures are being taken to rectify the situation and prioritize their well-being. Stay informed with the latest updates by signing up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.