{"id":61810,"date":"2023-11-27T06:41:09","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T17:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=61810"},"modified":"2024-12-02T16:54:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T03:54:49","slug":"nitrate-map-drinking-water-contamination-levels-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nitrate-map-drinking-water-contamination-levels-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"Nitrate map indicates drinking water nitrate contamination levels across New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Greenpeace has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/nitrate-contamination-map-nz-launched-challenge-acts-agriculture-minister\/\">launched<\/a> a groundbreaking new interactive \u2018know your nitrate\u2019 map indicating nitrate contamination levels of drinking water across New Zealand, warning of health risks from the higher nitrate concentrations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greenpeace\u2019s \u2018Know Your Nitrate\u2019 map shows nitrate contamination levels in drinking water across New Zealand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High levels of nitrates in water can cause health problems, like bowel cancer &amp; pregnancy complications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>800,000 New Zealanders are at risk of exposure to hazardous levels of nitrate in their drinking water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-beige-100-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-651e6f64 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#WhatIsKnowYourNitrateMap\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#WhatIsKnowYourNitrateMap\">What is the Know Your Nitrate map?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#WhatIsNitrateContamination\">What is nitrate contamination?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#CausesOfNitrateContamination\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#CausesOfNitrateContamination\">Causes of nitrate contamination in the Know Your Nitrate map<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#HealthRisksOfNitrateContamination\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#HealthRisksOfNitrateContamination\">What are the health risks of nitrate contamination shown on the map?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#WhatToDo\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#WhatToDo\">What can we do about nitrate contamination?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-greenpeace-aotearoa wp-block-embed-greenpeace-aotearoa\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"tbr4YjnqEb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/free-water-testing-nitrate-contamination\/\">Free water testing for nitrate contamination<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Free water testing for nitrate contamination&#8221; &#8212; Greenpeace Aotearoa\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/free-water-testing-nitrate-contamination\/embed\/#?secret=jiobNkPLeL#?secret=tbr4YjnqEb\" data-secret=\"tbr4YjnqEb\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-greenpeace-aotearoa wp-block-embed-greenpeace-aotearoa\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"zr5hHlGoMQ\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/\">Nitrate contamination in drinking water; what you need to know and some frequently asked questions<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Nitrate contamination in drinking water; what you need to know and some frequently asked questions&#8221; &#8212; Greenpeace Aotearoa\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/embed\/#?secret=ZsUbpm6B7G#?secret=zr5hHlGoMQ\" data-secret=\"zr5hHlGoMQ\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"WhatIsKnowYourNitrateMap\">What is the Know Your Nitrate map?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Everybody has a right to safe drinking water, no matter who they are or where they live. No family should have to wonder if the water from their kitchen tap could be making them sick. That\u2019s why rising nitrate contamination &#8211; particularly in rural areas of New Zealand &#8211; is concerning, and that\u2019s why we have collated the data to present the <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.greenpeace.org\/maps\/aotearoa\/know-your-nitrate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Know Your Nitrate Map<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.greenpeace.org\/maps\/aotearoa\/know-your-nitrate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/ad85aa37-nitrate-map-og-img.jpg\" title=\"Know Your Nitrate Map\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/ad85aa37-nitrate-map-og-img.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/ad85aa37-nitrate-map-og-img-600x321.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/ad85aa37-nitrate-map-og-img-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/ad85aa37-nitrate-map-og-img-510x273.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p>Over the last two years, Greenpeace has offered free water testing of bore water for rural areas. We\u2019ve conducted community testing events in numerous areas where we\u2019ve spent time talking with affected communities, and we\u2019ve offered a <a href=\"https:\/\/petition.act.greenpeace.org.nz\/agriculture-nitrate-testing-request\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mail-in water testing service<\/a>, and people have sent in their water samples for testing.<\/p>\n\n<p>Through that testing programme, we\u2019ve collected the biggest data set of its kind, showing the areas in New Zealand with the most and least contaminated drinking water. The Know Your Nitrate Map allows you to zoom in on your neighbourhood and see what the nitrate levels are near you and what they may be at your place.<\/p>\n\n<p>Scientists warn that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phcc.org.nz\/briefing\/nitrate-contamination-drinking-water-and-adverse-birth-outcomes-emerging-evidence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">800,000 New Zealanders are at risk<\/a> of exposure to hazardous levels of nitrate. Up to 100 cases of bowel cancer and 40 deaths every year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0013935121016236?dgcid=coauthor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">could be attributable<\/a> to nitrate contamination of drinking water. Families in rural areas impacted by intensive dairy and high <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/new-zealands-hidden-climate-killer-synthetic-nitrogen\/\">synthetic nitrogen fertiliser<\/a> use are more likely to be exposed.<\/p>\n\n<p>Nitrate has no odour, taste or colour and is the most pervasive water contaminant in New Zealand. The Know Your Nitrate map is designed to inform and warn the public of the potential health risks of nitrate in drinking water. It can give you some idea of what contamination levels might be in your area, but you should get it tested to be sure.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>If you have any concerns about your water, <a href=\"https:\/\/petition.act.greenpeace.org.nz\/agriculture-nitrate-testing-request\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you should get it tested<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-49534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2021\/09\/3ba13d47-gp1svndj_medium_res.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr Peter Trolove from the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers doing nitrate testing of water.\n\nStaff and volunteers from Greenpeace Aotearoa offered free water testing for nitrate in communities in Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand.\n\nThese communities have high levels of intensive dairying. The overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and the urine from dairy cows causes nitrate contamination in drinking water supplies.\n\nNitrate contamination has been linked to adverse health effects, from bowel cancer to premature births.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"WhatIsNitrateContamination\">What is nitrate contamination?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Nitrate is the <a href=\"https:\/\/ourlandandwater.nz\/project\/measuring-denitrification\/\">most pervasive<\/a> groundwater contaminant in New Zealand, and nitrate contamination of drinking water is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/\">significant hazard to human health<\/a>. The higher the nitrate, the greater the potential risk.<\/p>\n\n<p>Many households on self-supply bore and well water are unaware of their potential nitrate exposure because nitrate contamination testing of self-supply bore water is not done systematically in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n<p>A number of public water supplies in rural areas, such as Southland and Canterbury, also have nitrate elevations that risk public health.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"CausesOfNitrateContamination\">Causes of nitrate contamination in the Know Your Nitrate map<\/h2>\n\n<p>Cow urine and synthetic nitrogen fertiliser used predominantly by the dairy industry in great quantities are the leading sources of nitrate contamination.<\/p>\n\n<p>Increased fertiliser use and intensification of dairying over the past 30 years are <a href=\"https:\/\/data.mfe.govt.nz\/table\/2530-nitrogen-leached-from-soil-total-1990-2012\/data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the primary cause<\/a> of worsening nitrate contamination.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/da9011e4-cancer-fertiliser-banner-kapuni.jpg\" title=\"Greenpeace deployed a giant &#039;cancer fertiliser&#039; banner at the Kapuni synthetic nitrogen fertiliser factory in Taranaki.\" alt=\"Greenpeace deployed a giant 'cancer fertiliser' banner at the Kapuni synthetic nitrogen fertiliser factory in Taranaki.\" class=\"wp-image-61813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/da9011e4-cancer-fertiliser-banner-kapuni.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/da9011e4-cancer-fertiliser-banner-kapuni-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/da9011e4-cancer-fertiliser-banner-kapuni-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/11\/da9011e4-cancer-fertiliser-banner-kapuni-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Greenpeace deployed a giant &#8216;cancer fertiliser&#8217; banner at the Kapuni synthetic nitrogen fertiliser factory in Taranaki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>If you\u2019re drinking water from a bore or a groundwater supply and it shows elevated nitrate concentrations, the odds are that it is caused by diffuse pollution from intensive agricultural activity in your area. Some reticulated town supplies in Southland and Canterbury are also showing elevated nitrate.<\/p>\n\n<p>Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and intensive dairying are the largest causes of increased nitrate contamination in our water.&nbsp; The parts of New Zealand with high dairy cow numbers are also the regional hotspots for high nitrate concentrations in drinking water, including Canterbury, Waikato and Southland. We are also seeing high nitrate contamination in some market gardening areas, such as Richmond in the Tasman District.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is added to pasture to accelerate grass growth so excessive numbers of cows can be kept on the land. Most of the nitrogen that cows ingest passes through them and is excreted as urine and dung, which leeches nitrate into groundwater. The indirect leaching of nitrate from dairy cow urine patches is the largest source of nitrate contamination. The dairy industry is the biggest user of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. In New Zealand, we have seen a nearly sevenfold increase in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use over the past 30 years, a doubling of the dairy herd, and a worsening of nitrate concentrations in many groundwater wells.<\/p>\n\n<p>This is one of the reasons Greenpeace continues to call for stronger regulation of the dairy sector to reduce cow numbers and cut the usage of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser for growing grass.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"HealthRisksOfNitrateContamination\">What are the health risks of nitrate contamination shown on the map?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Drinking water contaminated with nitrate over time can have a cumulative effect that should not be underestimated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>For many years, we have known that high concentrations of nitrate in drinking water used for mixing infant formula is linked to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.govt.nz\/your-health\/healthy-living\/drinking-water\/nitrate-drinking-water#:~:text=Potential%20effects%20of%20high%20nitrate%20levels%20in%20drinking%2Dwater\">blue baby syndrome<\/a> \u2013 where the nitrate deprives the baby\u2019s blood of oxygen. This can be a life-threatening condition for babies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>In New Zealand, our drinking water standards have a maximum allowable value (MAV) for nitrate (NO3-N) of 11.3 mg\/L. This limit was set by the World Health Organisation in the 1950s as the limit necessary to avoid blue baby syndrome.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>New Zealand public health physician Professor Michael Baker says the limit is \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stuff.co.nz\/national\/health\/119167345\/rethink-over-nitrates-as-government-orders-review-into-link-with-cancer\">hopelessly out of date<\/a>\u201d because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rnz.co.nz\/news\/national\/395386\/health-expert-renews-call-for-study-on-nitrates-in-drinking-water\">it does not account for chronic illnesses like cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cancer Water: The nitrate contamination of rural water supplies in Aotearoa New Zealand\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BuOC2ewGTpY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch this short documentary of a community in Canterbury struggling with drinking water contaminated with nitrates that come from intensive dairying and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/new-zealands-hidden-climate-killer-synthetic-nitrogen\/\">Ravensdown &amp; Ballance\u2019s synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>There is also growing evidence of potential for increased colorectal cancer risk from nitrate at levels as low as 1 mg\/L. So, to be safe, we should ensure that everyone has access to drinking water that has nitrate under 1 mg\/L.<\/p>\n\n<p>The New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and Public Health Association has <a href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/7pxixhekym0rdco8fl0apjyk4x0e4kki\">stated that<\/a>, \u201cExcessive levels of nitrate pollution, from dairy farms, in drinking water is a direct threat to human health such as being linked to miscarriages in pregnant women. Long-term consumption of nitrate in drinking water is associated with the risk of several cancers such as thyroid, colorectal, non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma, stomach, bladder, breast, and ovarian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"WhatToDo\">What can we do about nitrate contamination?<\/h2>\n\n<p>To ensure healthy water for all, we need to farm differently, with far fewer cows and no synthetic nitrogen fertiliser to grow grass.<\/p>\n\n<p>By moving to more plant-based regenerative and organic farming, we can provide healthy nutrition from the land without harming our water supplies.<\/p>\n\n<p>Use the map to check out your area, share with friends, and get your water tested if you have any concerns at all.<\/p>\n\n<p>If you have more questions about the science, how to get your water tested, how often to test it or what to do if you have drinking water with high nitrate levels, head over to our more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/freshwater\/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water-what-you-need-to-know-and-some-frequently-asked-questions\/\">detailed nitrate contamination<\/a> information page.<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout post-15019 \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-ban-synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows-1024x576.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows-510x287.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2018\/12\/d90cd49a-nz-dairy-cows.jpg 1418w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dairy cows\" title=\"Dairy cows\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-ban-synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Ban synthetic nitrogen fertiliser\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Sign on now to call on the New Zealand Govt to ban chemical nitrogen fertiliser.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/petition\/petition-ban-synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Take Action\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Greenpeace has launched a groundbreaking new interactive know your nitrate map indicating nitrate contamination levels of drinking water across New Zealand, warning of health risks from the higher nitrate concentrations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":61811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_planet4_optimize_post_is_variant":false,"_planet4_optimize_experiment_name":"","_planet4_optimize_variant_name":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"Nitrate map indicates NZ's drinking water contamination levels ","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[22],"p4-page-type":[6],"class_list":["post-61810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greenpeace","tag-freshwater","p4-page-type-story"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nitrate map indicates drinking water nitrate contamination levels across New Zealand<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nitrate-map-drinking-water-contamination-levels-new-zealand\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nitrate map indicates drinking water nitrate contamination levels across New Zealand\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Greenpeace has launched a groundbreaking new interactive know your nitrate map indicating nitrate contamination levels of drinking water across New Zealand, warning of health risks from the higher nitrate concentrations.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/nitrate-map-drinking-water-contamination-levels-new-zealand\/\" 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