NZ schools get free filter system to improve water quality

NZ schools get free filter system to improve water quality

A new project to improve the water quality in schools will see new innovative filtration systems installed in 60 schools around the country.

The Water In Schools project launches this week with 15 schools – including Bombay School south of Auckland, Cobden School in Greymouth, and Tokoiti in Otago – among the first recipients of water filters that filter out many heavy metals and chlorine, through to water born bugs and nasties such as giardia.

The $150,000 investment by HRV aims to improve water quality for children and staff at these schools, make water taste better so kids drink more of it, and to encourage discussion about water quality issues.

Many of the schools involved in the project are located in smaller towns and rural areas which have water quality compliance issues according to the Ministry of Health’s Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2013-2014.

Schools in urban areas will also be part of the project since water supplies they use are often heavily treated to help kill bacteria, yet chemicals like chlorine remain in the water when it enters a school or a household.

Bombay School is the first school to have a filter installed and is in an area that has had water quality issues, including two dams in the Hunua Ranges being closed last year due to weed killer run-off.

Bombay principal Paul Petersen says because Bombay is a "water only" school – meaning pupils are encouraged to drink water during school time instead of juice or other types of drinks – it has an obligation to ensure the students get the best quality water possible.

"So the Water In Schools project is a perfect partnership for us. It just gives us peace of mind that we control the quality of the water coming into the school rather than having to rely on the local authority, or worrying about what may be occurring at, or near the source of our water supply.

"We expect that it will make our water taste better too which is only good for the kids.”

To meet compliance requirements of the Drinking-water Standards For New Zealand a water supply must meet the bacteriological, protozoal, and chemical standards which measure everything from E. Coli and giardia through to chemical contaminants such as chlorine by-product trihalomethanes.

The 60 schools that will be part of the project this year are just some of the hundreds around the country which are in areas with water quality issues.

Partnering with HRV in the project is Water New Zealand, a not-for-profit organisation that represents and advocates for organisations in the water industry.

Peter Whitehouse, Water New Zealand’s Manager Advocacy and Learning, says water quality in New Zealand’s metropolitan centres is generally good and often, but not in every centre, chlorine is used to kill bacteria.

He says smaller towns and rural areas can face significant water quality issues.

“Many of New Zealand’s smaller centres face capacity and affordability constraints that, on occasion, can result in compromised water quality. The more isolated rural communities will need support if high quality potable water is to be a 24/7 reality.”

HRV chief executive Bruce Gordon says the Water In Schools Project is about doing something good for schools around New Zealand by ensuring they have pure, clean and healthy water coming into the school.

He says people like to think New Zealand is clean and green, but many of the country's lakes and waterways are polluted, with smaller towns and rural areas especially prone to water quality issues.

“While the main push behind the Water In Schools project is to improve water quality in our schools, it’s also about encouraging discussion about the quality of water New Zealander’s use as part of everyday life and doing something to make it safer and healthier.”

“Water is treated with chemicals to kill bacteria before it gets to us in our homes, where we work, and our kids’ schools. If you don’t have a filter then you and your kids may be a secondary filter. So there are huge health benefits of filtered water to every tap in a home or a school.”

How the HRV Water Filtration System works

• Connects to your household mains to filter water from every source.

• The system uses a four stage filtering process. The first stage removes some bacteria, along with sediment which improves the colour and clarity of the water.

• In the second and third stages, the system uses a mix of granular activated carbon and a material known as KDF. This removes up to 98 per cent of the chlorine that is added to water when it is treated, as well as chlorine by-product trihalomethanes.

• This process also helps remove a wide range of heavy metals such as lead, zinc, cadmium and mercury, and other water-born nasties.

• A UV solution is also available for tank/rainwater households

• In the final stage, water is passed through the ionizer to produce the characteristics of softer water and reduce scale build up, which helps minimise the need to use soaps and shampoos, reduces chemical build-up in clothes from washing and reduces maintenance for appliances using water.

ENDS

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