Ōhakea group trusts government process on contaminated water, says chairman 8 May, 2018 12:00pm 3 minutes to read People affected by Ōhakea’s contaminated groundwater have faith in the government process but want tests for toxic compounds in their bodies, spokesman Andy Russell says.
He’s the chairman of a committee representing about 300 people who live on or own land around the air force base where groundwater is contaminated with PFAS compounds from foam used for firefighting.
Russell said he had met some of the lawyers, but the group was not interested.
We are quite united in that."
One issue with the contamination is how the compounds might affect people exposed to them since birth – people drinking bore water or swimming in highly contaminated ponds.
Some in the group have met a MidCentral public health officer and would like the level of compounds in their bodies tested.
The lead agency is the Ministry for the Environment, and its deputy secretary, Claire Richardson, is working with the group.
His property has had two tests so far – one of the bore water, and one of bore and tank water.
A community water scheme, for human and stock drinking water, has been suggested.
Groundwater near other defence bases and airports is also being tested for the compounds.