Good water quality "no longer a given" in New Zealand

High water quality is no longer something that can be taken for granted in New Zealand, according to the national Labour Party

Brendon Burns, the party's water quality spokesman, said that it is a New Zealand birthright to able to enjoy safe water for swimming in rivers, lakes, streams, beaches and harbours.

His comments follow last night's screening of a documentary called 60 Minutes, which highlighted the risks of poor water quality on the country's health and exports.

"Many New Zealanders already know these rights are at risk," said Mr Burns.

"It’s taken the scare involving Auckland beaches for some people to recognise that our water quality is no longer a given in either urban or rural New Zealand."

He added that it would be a very unfortunate if New Zealanders had to forsake their birthright of safe access to water.

Meanwhile, another region to experience water quality issues is Atlanta, where the state of local supplies is prompting some communities to purchase treatment chemicals to make their water drinkable.

Written by Claire Manning