Council is looking at the future of the Tinwald drinking water bore, which continues to show higher levels of nitrates than other bores used for community supplies.

Investigations are underway on managing nitrates at the bore, including the feasibility of making the well deeper, drilling another bore and installing a nitrate treatment system.

Infrastructure Group Manager Neil McCann said council was reviewing a report it had just received from water engineering specialist Aqualinc.

“We’ve been keeping a watching brief on the bore and have tagged $1.13 million for nitrate management in 2028-29, as part of our Water Services Delivery Plan.

“We are constantly monitoring all our Council supplies to ensure nitrate levels comply with national drinking water standards, and the Tinwald bore has not exceeded the maximum value set under Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.

“However, we are aware of the concern around nitrates in drinking water and looking at our infrastructure and areas of population growth to assess projects that could be included in our long term planning.”

Council monitors and tests its 10 community supplies constantly and publishes a monthly nitrate level report on its website. Council drinking water supplies service about 70 per cent of the district’s population.

Council also encourages private bore owners to monitor their water periodically and seek advice from a water qualify professional if they have concerns.

Mr McCann said the Tinwald bore was one of eight bores on the Ashburton urban drinking water supply.

“We also supply Tinwald from deep bores on the Ashburton side of the river at Argyle Park, via a pipeline under the State Highway 1 bridge. We’ll also be including a pipeline on the second Ashburton bridge to deliver drinking water to improve resilience for the Tinwald community.”