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Update 18 July, 2016:
The Wellsford Water Treatment Plant reopened on Friday, after water quality tests found it is safe to drink.
The plant was closed on Thursday, July 14, after MCPA herbicide was found to have exceeded Ministry of Health limits and water was being trucked in to maintain the reservoir.
Later tests found the levels of herbicide had significantly reduced. Further water quality tests carried out over the weekend confirmed that the water meets the Ministry of Health’s Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand and is safe to drink.
Published 15 July, 2016:
Watercare advises that test results received yesterday afternoon have detected levels of MCPA that are significantly below the Ministry of Health’s maximum allowable value (MAV) of 0.002mg/L, as defined in the Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand.
Water samples taken from the Wellsford Water Treatment Plant detected levels of MCPA at 0.0001mg/L, while samples from the Hoteo River have been detected at 0.00035mg/L.
While these readings are below the allowable level, Watercare will only return the plant to service upon agreement with the Auckland Regional Public Health Service. Water tankers will continue to maintain local reservoirs in the meantime.
Asked whether this meant the water was now safe to drink, a Watercare spokesperson said, “International water quality expert Professor Colin Fricker has told us that ‘a single set of results that exceed the MAV are extremely unlikely to represent threat to public health’.”
Wellsford water out of service
Published 14 July 2016
Watercare has taken the Wellsford Water Treatment Plant out of service after MCPA herbicide was detected at low levels during routine testing.
A recent test detected a MCPA reading of 0.003mg/L in the water produced at the plant.
This level is above the Ministry of Health’s maximum allowable value (MAV) of 0.002mg/L, as defined in the Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand.
Watercare general manager service delivery Shayne Cunis says Watercare has taken the treatment plant out of service and is using water tankers to maintain local reservoirs while further testing is carried out. The company is also flushing the local network.
“We are committed to the delivery of a safe and reliable water supply. While the use of water tankers is sizable commitment, we believe it is the most appropriate course of action given the result.”
“Our staff have notified the Auckland Regional Public Health Service and will be keeping the Medical Officer of Health updated.”
Wellsford draws its supply from the Hoteo River and it is treated with a mix of sedimentation, sand filtration, pH control and chlorination. The plant has the capacity to supply 1.4 million litres per day.
