Greenpeace Aotearoa Calls for Collaboration with Gore Mayor to Combat Drinking Water Nitrate Contamination

Greenpeace Aotearoa has extended an invitation to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell to work together on addressing the pressing issue of drinking water nitrate contamination in the town. This move comes after a protest in late July highlighted the alarming levels of nitrates in the town's water supply, exceeding safe limits. The organisation's spokesperson, Will Appelbe, has highlighted the worrying connection between the intensive dairy industry and the contamination of rural communities' drinking water. Greenpeace Aotearoa has expressed concerns over the public health implications of this issue, citing scientific evidence that links even low levels of nitrate contamination to serious health risks, including bowel cancer and preterm birth.

Key Takeaways:

• Greenpeace Aotearoa has written to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell to collaborate on addressing the drinking water nitrate contamination issue in the town.
• The intensive dairy industry, led by companies like Fonterra, is linked to the contamination of rural communities' drinking water, resulting in health risks to residents.
• Scientific evidence has established links between low levels of nitrate contamination (1 mg/L) and an increased risk of bowel cancer, as well as a higher risk of preterm birth at nitrate levels of 5 mg/L.
• The dairy industry's actions have consequences for communities, including polluted drinking water and increased dairy prices.
• Greenpeace Aotearoa has called on Mayor Bell to work together to protect source water and prevent similar crises in the future.
• Fonterra is a leading company in the intensive dairy industry, accused of prioritising profits over the health and well-being of rural communities.

Statistics:

• The current limit for nitrate in drinking water is considered a 'safe level' by Mayor Ben Bell, but this has been disputed by Greenpeace Aotearoa and contradicted by scientific evidence
• Scientific studies have established that exposure to nitrate levels as low as 1 mg/L increases the risk of bowel cancer
• Drinking water with nitrate levels of 5 mg/L has been linked to a higher risk of preterm birth

Sources:

• Greenpeace Aotearoa
• Spokesperson Will Appelbe
• Letter from Greenpeace Aotearoa to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell
• Scientific studies cited by Greenpeace Aotearoa on the health risks associated with low levels of nitrate contamination