19489 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister of Local Government

Written Question

Published date: 28 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19489 (2026)
Question asked:	14 May 2026
Member asking:	Lan Pham
Portfolio:	Minister of Local Government
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	24 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19489_2026
Document guid:	7156d8a1-2f1c-4f86-9364-d1b296dbc030

19489 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister of Local Government: In relation to Reply 18581 (2026), has the Minister received any wider advice on the risk of nitrates to the public in private water supplies, such as across the Canterbury and Southland regions, beyond the localised incident related to the Waihao source?

Hon Simon Watts: The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has informed the Minister of public and media interest in nitrates in drinking water including: • the low incidences of Maximum Acceptable Value exceedances of nitrate in New Zealand in public water supplies; and • the heightened risks of contamination incidences of nitrate in private water supplies which draw water from shallow bores.