Posted on 24-6-2002

Water Careless In Auckland
by Penny Bright*

Watercare Services admits that it has not yet completed a Public Health
Risk Management Plan in respect of the Waikato treatment plant.

Watercare Services admit that they do not know what statutory duties they
have for public health under the
Health Act 1956. Yet the quality of the water we drink is a major public
health decision. Watercare admit that they have no idea of how many
synthetic chemicals which are not currently listed in New Zealand Drinking
Water Standards 2000 are likely to be in the Waikato river. Watercare admit
they have no information about how any of the chemicals likely to be
present in the Waikato water can react with each other, in combination, and
the future health effects that may result in drinking water that contains
such chemicals. Watercare admit that they have no information about
chemicals, either listed in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards or not
that are liable to accumulate in the human body.

Yet, Watercare state they have "considered the risks of providing polluted
water from the Waikato pipeline. In response, we have put in place a
comprehensive risk management process which ensures that the design and
operation of the plant along with all other aspects of the system work
together to eliminate these risks".

Yeah right.

* pennybright@xtra.co.nz