Thousands drinking faecally contaminated water

A new report shows 72,000 people are drinking faecally contaminated water, according to the Green Party. File photo / NZ Herald

A new report shows 72,000 people are drinking faecally contaminated water, the Green Party says.

Co-leader Russel Norman said the Ministry of Health's annual report on drinking water, released today, showed many people were being denied their right to clean, safe water.

"Some communities have faeces in their drinking water and yet the Government has limited their ability to clean up their water sources," he said.

The report gives statistics about microbiological and protozoal compliance of registered drinking water supplies.

Dr Norman said it showed drinking water non-compliance was generally located in towns with populations of less than 5000.

"At a time when nearly half our lakes and most of our lowlands rivers are classed as polluted, and these are the source of drinking water for many communities, the Government needs to be investing more money into helping communities supply clean, safe drinking water, not less," he said.

"I hope this report spurs the Government into reversing their decision to cut the Capital Assistance Programme, which has left many communities drinking faecally contaminated water."

The programme was designed to support small communities of under 5000 people to improve drinking water quality, but it was put on hold in September 2009 for a government review.

It was reinstated at the end of last year with stricter eligibility criteria and an $18 million budget cut, Dr Norman said.

- NZPA