Bulls Water Safe to Drink

Rangitikei District Council is pleased test results showing PFAS levels in Bulls’ water supply are well below the national Drinking Water Guidelines and that the town’s water remains safe to drink.

PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals widely used since the 1950s in the production of a range of products, including fire-fighting foams used at airports and other fire training sites across New Zealand. Most people are exposed to very small traces of PFAS throughout their lives because it is used in the manufacturing of everyday items, such as those with oil and water resistant coatings. There is no evidence that such low levels of exposure cause harmful health effects.

Council Chief Executive Ross McNeil said New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) experts tested the town’s water supply for PFAS compounds following the discovery of contamination at Base Ohakea and at some neighbouring properties.

“Water samples were taken from the town supply network and each of the five groundwater bores supplying Bulls,” Ross McNeil said. “Results indicated the presence of PFAS in four of the five bores and in the supply network, but at levels well below threshold level in the New Zealand Drinking Water Guidelines.”

The Ministry of Health has advised that there should be no health concerns for Bulls residents given the very low levels found in the water supply, and therefore no reason for residents not to continue using the water.

Ross McNeil said PFAS chemicals are known to travel some distance in groundwater, so investigations are underway to determine the likely source of these chemicals in the groundwater in Bulls.

“The Bulls’ water supply is being retested, as NZDF has done with all its testing for PFAS. These samples were collected this week and the results are expected in about 4 weeks.”

For more information about PFAS, visit www.mfe.govt.nz/pfas

For further information please contact:

Carol Downs, Communications Team Leader – 06 327 0163

Ross McNeil, Chief Executive – 06 327 6970