Possible contamination from dairy plant worries New Zealanders

Possible contamination from dairy plant worries New Zealanders	<<>
Monday, April 12, 2010
DUNSANDEL, NEW ZEALAND — Residents of Dunsandel, a small country town on New Zealand’s South Island, are concerned that runoff from dairy farms has contaminated their drinking water, according to tvnz.co.nz. The town’s well water tested positive for fecal bacteria and locals fear that the new Synlait dairy plant, which employs 200 people, is the source of the contamination, the article stated. “I think we all know in our hearts that it’s dairy cows, because they’re the ones that put large amounts of poo on the paddock. The dairy farmers are allowed to spray effluent on as well,” said Peter Hills, a local resident. The Synlait plant exports 45,000 tons of dairy products per year and is planning to expand soon, according to the story. Mayor Kelvin Cow supports the expansion and claims that it’s impossible to determine if the dairy plant is the sole source of the contamination, the report stated. To read the entire article, click here. For related information, click here.