Elevated E. coli levels have once again been detected in a bore feeding from the Lower Waitaki Aquifer, the Otago Regional Council has confirmed this afternoon. Faecal source tracking from water quality testing on 18 October showed the presence of a cow marker, which indicated the most likely source of the E. coli was cattle. Results showed an elevated E. coli level measured at 41 MPN/100 ml. The recommended level for safe drinking water is less than 1 MPN/100 ml. The same bore tested positive in September, when an E. coli level of 63 MPN/100 ml was recorded.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 29, 2018 00:11 UTC