Auckland Council will review its reporting procedures following criticism over a decision not to tell Aucklanders two water supply dams had been contaminated with herbicide   Two dams in the Hunua Ranges, the Cosseys and the Wairoa, were shut for four months from May after traces of the toxic herbicide metsulfuron-methyl were found. Metsuluron-methyl is used for controlling scrub weeds …

Half of Auckland’s fresh waterways are too polluted to use and future generations will face a multi-billion dollar bill to clean up, according to environmental managers. The Government’s new rules for streams, rivers and lakes came into force at the beginning of August, and regional councils must commit to a plan to reducing pollution in any problematic waterways by 2025. …

The pesticide 1080 will be dumped from helicopters on the Hunua Ranges – the source of Auckland’s water supply – next winter, Auckland Council has confirmed. At its meeting today, Auckland Council’s Regional Strategy and Policy Committee approved a proposal to manage pests in the 17,000ha park by aerial dropping 1080 pellets. The method would be used by the Department …

Chlorine in tap water has been linked to the rising number of people developing food allergies, a study has revealed. The chemical, which is used to treat drinking water and is also present in commonly-available pesticides and household items, may weaken food tolerance in some individuals. Researchers found adults with high levels of dichlorophenol – a chemical by-product of chlorine …

Let me begin at the end. This is me yesterday holding a glass of water from the Waikato River after it’s been through the Watercare treatment plant near Tuakau. I’m standing next to Shayne Cunis, Watercare’s Water Treatment Manager. Shayne has been involved in various battles that Watercare has conducted to try to stop the Waikato River getting even more …