Sign up to have rainwater collection tank tested

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tairāwhiti rural residents are being given the opportunity to have rainwater collection tanks tested for free.

A group of environmental engineers are conducting a study of rooftop rainwater quality and are keen for residents to register if they want to know what is in their water.

“We are interested in sampling your rainwater tank and comparing the results against New Zealand’s Drinking Water Standards,”  Dr Cody Mankelow from the University of Auckland said.

“If a household chooses to participate, we will provide them with a report of our findings for their water tank and a summary of the average values of all sites tested.”

Sampling is free and will measure conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, microbial total coliform and Escherichia coli counts, dissolved nutrients, including nitrate, and nitrite metals including zinc, lead and arsenic.

Randomly selected households will also be tested for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The researchers need to access rainwater tanks on two separate occasions. On each occasion, the team will be on site for less than 30 minutes, taking readings and collecting water samples of up to one litre.

“We aim to collect samples from up to 300 households, community halls and marae throughout Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island. Participation is on a first-come, first-served

basis.”

■ Anyone interested can sign up at tinyurl.com/waitesting2023 or phone Dr Mankelow on 09 3737599 ext. 86990.

Dr Mankelow is connected to a team of researchers working with Te Weu Charitable Trust on climate resilience issues for communities in Tairāwhiti.