Horowhenua water safe to drink

Horowhenua water has been deemed drinkable.

A laboratory analysis has confirmed that Horowhenua's drinking water is safe.

Horowhenua District Council commissioned the analysis following concerns raised last year.

The analysis, conducted independently by the IANZ-accredited Environmental Laboratory Services, checked drinking water supplied to Levin, Foxton, Foxton Beach, Shannon and Tokomaru for the presence of heavy metals, such as arsenic, chromium and lead.

"As part of our proactive approach to our responsibility for public health, we decided to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all our town water supplies," said Paul Gaydon, water and waste services manager for Horowhenua District Council.

"The results of the analysis showed that the town water supplied to our communities contains safe levels of heavy metals.

"Not one of the results exceeded the maximum safe level of trace heavy metals allowed by the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand," he said.

Samples of water were taken from the water reticulation network, the water the community drinks, not untreated water. This ensured that any possible effects of chemicals used during water treatment or the water reticulation network were accounted for, he said.

"It gives me great pleasure to state with confidence that our water will have absolutely no adverse effect on our community's health."

Mr Gaydon plans independent testing every five years as a precaution, surpassing New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.