Organic contaminants detected in two-thirds of NZ wells

Traces of organic contaminants – among them chemicals used to make plastics and sunscreens – have been found in two-thirds of New Zealand's wells.

But ESR scientists say these were detected at very low concentrations in the latest survey of the country's groundwater.

The survey, covering 135 wells on behalf of 12 regional authorities, was carried out between September and December last year.

ESR tested for a range of compounds called emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), using a technique that measured their concentration at parts per trillion of water.  Read more