Martinborough water samples fail tests

A scientific report has found water to be undrinkable in the wine mecca of Martinborough and probably contaminated with Giardia.
Martinborough man George Sanderson, who sought scientific help to solve the mystery of his dying fish, got more than he bargained on with a water quality report that has just come back.
George Sanderson was stunned when he received the report from a Taranaki laboratory warning the water he had sent, that was from Martinborough's town supply and came from his household tap, failed to meet drinking water standards; was "potentially harmful" without treatment and had a "high probability" of containing the dreaded Giardia bug.
Mr Sanderson had been prompted to spend just over $200 getting the water tests done because heavily filtered water going into the expensive, almost new aquarium, was quickly becoming murky and fish were dying.
"I lost four, worth over $300, and they died gasping for breath that seemed to indicate whatever was in the water was clogging their gills."
Mr Sanderson said he had a similar problem back in 2002 when he was living at another locality in Martinborough, so any suggestion it was the fault of his own home system carried no weight.
The water was sent to the Taranaki laboratory and tested on November 12.
Microbiological analysis showed the presence of coliform bacteria and indicated the water failed to meet drinking water standards.
Mr Sanderson said causes of possible contamination spelled out by the laboratory could all be discounted. He and his wife Lesley live in town so contributing factors such as septic tanks, seepage from an oxidation pond, surface water run-off and backflows from water troughs do not apply.
Mr Sanderson said another family in Martinborough, who also has aquarium fish, had been in touch to say the same problem had reared its head at their house, with fish deaths due to algae-like substances in the water.
Chemical analysis of the water Mr Sanderson had tested found it to be hard and slightly turbid. It was low in iron, manganese and ammonia.
He said the discolouration of the water was strange in that algae would normally leave a scum line in the tank, but this does not.
It is so murky fish cannot be seen in the tank unless they approach the glass exterior.
He said the tank cost $700, it has the best filtration possible and he takes all other possible precautions to ensure the health of his fish.
South Wairarapa District Council's works and services manager Ravi Mangar said he is confident the water, that would have come from the town's number three bore, is perfectly safe.
If Mr Sanderson had a problem he should have contacted him instead of simply sending samples off to a laboratory, Mr Mangar said.
"We regularly test water from all three towns and supply the results to Choice Health.
"There is no problem with Martinborough's water, the people in Martinborough are healthier than in any of the towns."
Mr Mangar confirmed the Martinborough water supply is untreated. It is not chlorinated due to manganese being in the supply as the two are not compatible.
He said the council has given some thought to installing a UV system of treatment.
Mr Mangar said people with "genuine concerns" about water supplies should firstly contact the council to have them checked out and he suspected the problem with the Sanderson house could be due to leaking contamination within the house system itself.