Is your drinking water safe to drink?
NZ has an abundance of fresh water but not all of it is safe to drink.
Stocker Solutions are experts in drinking water quality for the Mid Canterbury region.
Common signs that your drinking water is contaminated
water appears 'dirty'
Water tastes funny
limescale on taps, sinks, baths
Blue/Green staining on basins and baths
recurring health issues
Stomach issues
Drinking water that tastes or looks ‘funny’ or is leaving stains on your plumbing can be signs that there are excessive unwanted minerals present.
Other chemicals and Nitrates in your water can be present without your knowledge. Most are odourless and have no taste. While you can’t see them with the naked eye they can still pose a great risk to your health and wellbeing, sometimes with very serious consequences.
Common water contaminants in Mid Canterbury.
We aren’t here to scare you – we’re here to educate and provide a solution to our community.
Countless studies have been conducted around the affects that contaminated drinking water can have on our health and well-being.
Stocker Solutions Ashburton have years of experience in testing and providing drinking water solutions and are backed by accredited laboratories and world-renowned suppliers.
Nitrates
Nitrate is a chemical that occurs naturally in soil. It helps plants grow. When the soils contains more Nitrate than a plant needs then the excess is carried through the soil by our rain waters and travels to the groundwater underneath. This groundwater can then be used as a drinking water source. Sometimes there are still Nitrates present in this drinking water and they can be a risk to our health.
Potential health risks
- Bowel Cancer
- Premature Births
- Blue Baby Syndrome
Further information and studys
Iron and Manganese
Manganese is a metal element found in groundwater. Its preferred life partner is Iron so they are often found together. Manganese is actually an essential trace element, so we need it to survive however when we consume too much it can cause health issues. These two are also responsible for brown drinking water, blocked pipes and stains on basins, baths and tap ware.
Potential health risks
- Alters the nervous system
- Changes in memory and attention
- Changes in motor skills
Further information and studys
E-Coli and Bacteria
E-Coli essentially comes from faeces. It doesn’t need oxygen to live and so water is the perfect breeding ground and transportation device for E-Coli. E-Coli can enter our drinking water from birds going Number 2 on our roof, grazing animals and effluent spreading and even other animals going Number 2 in streams and rivers.
Potential health risks
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- A myriad of other symptoms
Drinking water sources
- Water Safety and compliance is the responsibility of the council or water supplier
- Disinfection is required to ensure the water is potable/safe to drink. (Pathogens which can cause disease/sickness are common often from bird or animal faeces).
- Surface water is affected by weather and often dirty after rainfall.
- Surface water has been in contact with the ground so some undesirable chemical contaminants can also be present.
- Higher levels of organic matter can have a negative effect on disinfection and often larger treatment units (e.g. UV’s are required)
- A water test is essential to designing a treatment system that will work well.
- Ground water can often contain dissolved chemicals and minerals.
- Shallower water is at a higher risk of microbial/faecal contamination.
- Regardless of appearance of taste, a water test is essential to designing a water treatment system that will work well.
Stockers are Mid Canterbury water experts and can help come up with a solution to your drinking water worries.
The process
Step 1: Lab test
The only way to be certain of what’s in your water is to send a sample to a Laboratory for testing.
Our team will collect a sample of drinking water from your home.
We will then send the sample to Hills Laboratory.
Hills are an IANZ accredited Drinking Water laboratory allowing them to perform testing to meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2022.
Drinking water tests are $295+ gst
Step 2: Solutions
The results of this test will give us a factual look at what's in your drinking water.
Based on your results and our expertise we will piece together a solution to remedy your water worries.
Our solutions range in price based on your needs.
Our friendly water technicians will set up and install a system for you.
Step 3: Follow up
Once your new drinking water solution is installed we will take another drinking water test and send it back to the lab to confirm the remedy is satisfactory.
You will receive compliance documentation (if required) and a pat on the back for taking action to make the health of you, your Whanau and all those who drink your water better.
Solving nitrate issues in your water
Ready to know what's in your water?
In November 2021 a Water Services Bill passed into legislation.
The updated Act is designed to ensure all New Zealander’s, like you, are drinking clean, healthy water – free from chemicals and minerals that could harm your health.
What this means for you: If you are a homeowner or landlord, you will soon have to comply with NZ Drinking water standards. If you supply water to other homes (i.e Farm Workers) you will be required to register as a supplier and ensure the water in those homes is up to standard too.
How we can help:
Stocker Solutions are the market leaders in solving water quality issues. Our first step in helping you navigate this is by conducting a Lab Test of your water.
If your results indicate that your water isn’t up to scratch, then our experienced team of water technicians can arrange to visit you and together we can come up with a water solution.
Water Treatment FAQs: Testing, Nitrates, Costs, and Solutions
What type of water filter do I need to remove nitrates from my water?
Unfortunately, there is no single filter that treats all water problems. The first step is to accurately identify what is in your water so you know what needs to be treated and how. Based on that information, the water problem may – or may not – require filtration, and the correct treatment solution can then be selected.
How can I fix poor water quality problems in my home?
The first step is to obtain a proper laboratory water test that accurately identifies what is present in your water. This testing provides clear, reliable data on water quality issues and allows us to determine whether a problem exists and what specifically needs to be treated. Once the results are known, appropriate treatment options can be recommended based on the actual conditions of your water.
Why does water treatment sometimes seem expensive, and is it always necessary?
Water treatment does not always have to be expensive. Costs typically increase when large volumes of problem water must be treated or when the issue has not been properly identified. Once a comprehensive laboratory water test is completed, it becomes much easier to understand the problem and select the most efficient treatment option. In many cases, there are multiple treatment approaches available, allowing solutions to be tailored to both the water quality issue and the budget.
Will a point-of-use filter remove nitrates from my drinking water?
Yes, a small point-of-use filter can remove nitrates from drinking water, but it is limited in capacity. These filters are designed to treat only a small volume of water before the media becomes exhausted and the filter is no longer effective. Depending on nitrate levels and water usage, this could occur within a few weeks or, in some cases, a few months. In addition, it is not always obvious when the filter has stopped working, which can result in untreated water being consumed without notice.
Why do I need a laboratory water test to check my water quality?
A proper laboratory water test is the only reliable way to determine what is actually present in your water. In many cases, more than one water quality issue may exist at the same time, and without accurate testing, these problems can be missed or misunderstood. The results of a lab test directly influence what type of treatment equipment is required, ensuring that any solution selected is appropriate, effective, and not unnecessary.
How much does a laboratory water test cost?
A professional laboratory water test with a detailed report costs $295 plus GST. We have kept this price as low as possible to ensure testing remains accessible and affordable. In reality, we make only a small margin on each test, which primarily covers administrative handling, laboratory fees, and the time required to review and explain the results to the customer.
What should I do if my water tastes strange or unusual?
We strongly recommend starting with a comprehensive laboratory water test. This type of testing provides a clear picture of what is happening in your water and helps identify any underlying issues that may be affecting taste, odor, or quality. Once the results are available, we can review them with you and recommend a suitable treatment solution based on your specific water conditions.
What are the different ways to treat nitrates in drinking water?
There are several different types of equipment available to treat nitrate contamination, and each is designed for a specific purpose. Some basic systems treat only small volumes of water, such as drinking water at a single tap. At the other end of the spectrum are full nitrate removal systems that use specialized media, such as ion exchange resins, to treat larger volumes of water.
Under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) units fall between these options and are typically designed to treat water at specific points of use, such as the kitchen. The most appropriate solution depends on factors such as water usage, nitrate concentration, treatment goals, and budget. Ultimately, selecting the right system comes down to matching the treatment method to the homeowner’s requirements.