Key points
Environment Waikato monitors nitrate in groundwater to detect changes in contamination levels that may affect human health and the environment. High nitrate concentrations are linked to a blood disorder in bottle-fed babies known as ‘blue baby syndrome’. Lower nitrate concentrations seeping from groundwater into streams and lakes can still result in nutrient enrichment of these waterways.
We have two monitoring networks – a Regional and a community supply network of wells.
- Nitrate concentrations in groundwater commonly exceed drinking water guidelines.
- High nitrate concentrations are related to intensive land use, particularly market gardening and livestock farming.
- Nitrate concentrations are increasing in many areas.
Source: Environment Waikato
What agencies are doing
- Environment Waikato tracks changes in groundwater quality to update this indicator and to assist policy making and consent decisions.
- Environment Waikato has policies on, and regulates wastewater discharges.
- We provide guidelines for farm dairy effluent and sludge application to land.
- We encourage responsible land and groundwater use and promote public awareness through environmental education.
- We provide a range of fact sheets and guidelines – check out our water publications.
- We support the NZ Fertiliser Manufacturers' Research Association’s Code of Practice for Nutrient Management.
- We support the Franklin Sustainability Project, in an area of high nitrogen fertiliser use.
What you can do to help
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser use.
- Use nitrogen fertiliser as a supplement to clover – not to replace it.
- Use split fertiliser dressings and avoid heavy use especially during winter.
- Follow guidelines for applying farm effluent to land.
- Ensure wells are sealed to stop contaminants directly entering supplies.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by monitoring nitrate in groundwater are:
- The iconic landscapes and natural features of our environment define and sustain us. We respect and celebrate them as taonga.
- Our natural environment is protected and respected. Its ecological balance is restored, its air, soil and water quality is improved and its native biodiversity is enhanced.
- The traditional role of iwi and hapu as kaitiaki is acknowledged, respected and enabled.
- Our region’s waterways have consistently high water quality.
- We have reliable, efficient and well-planned infrastructure and services, including transport that is safe, interconnected, and easy to get to and use.