Waimate school blindsided by news drinking water off limits

The local council issued a Do Not Drink notice on Monday after nitrate levels exceeded the acceptable levels of 50 milligrams per litre of water, posing a risk to people particularly pregnant women and babies. Tanker water has been made available to residents, but it could be months before the tap water is drinkable for about 650 households who get their water from the lower Waihao public water supply. It means the drinking fountains are off limits at the small rural Glenavy school. Principal Kate Mansfield spoke to Lisa Owen.