Researchers looking at the link between nitrate in drinking water and the impacts on health are being hindered by poor monitoring and data. Concerns had been raised about the nitrate pollution in some water suppliues which were having long-term impacts. “Last year we spent a lot of time and effort trying to collate a nitrate data set for registered drinking water supplies and most district councils don’t have data that goes back further than 10 years.”There needed to be 15-20 years of data. Pre-term births would be the focus, however, with plenty of data to work with. A petition created earlier in the year asks the government to lower the allowed level of nitrate in New Zealand’s drinking water.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 04, 2021 16:30 UTC