Navigating New Zealand’s Nitrate Challenge—Burkert’s Commitment to Water Quality
New Zealand’s water and wastewater sector is facing a critical juncture, with nitrate contamination emerging as an urgent issue for communities and water authorities alike.
The recent advisory in Gore, Southland, where residents were told not to drink tap water due to high nitrate levels, underscores the growing challenge of maintaining safe drinking water standards in the face of agricultural intensification and environmental pressures.1
The Ministry of Health and Taumata Arowai, New Zealand’s water regulator, have set a maximum allowable nitrate concentration of 50 milligrams per litre in drinking water, but recent events highlight how easily this threshold can be breached.2
Nitrate contamination is not just a technical challenge—it is a public health issue. Elevated nitrate levels have been linked with a range of adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk of certain cancers and complications in vulnerable populations such as infants and pregnant women.3 As New Zealand’s agricultural sector continues to expand, the pressure on groundwater and surface water resources is set to intensify, making robust monitoring and mitigation solutions more important than ever.4
Burkert New Zealand is uniquely positioned to assist the water and wastewater industry in rising to this challenge. Drawing on global expertise and the latest digital technologies, Burkert delivers precise, real-time water quality monitoring solutions that empower operators to detect, respond to, and ultimately prevent nitrate exceedances. Our range of analytical sensors, including the Type 8202 ph and ORP transmitter, Type 8203 ph probe and the nitrate sensor Type MS09 enable continuous, accurate measurement of nitrate concentrations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and providing peace of mind for communities.
Beyond nitrate monitoring, Burkert offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for flow, pressure, and level measurement, as well as process automation and control. Our modular, scalable systems are designed to meet the everyday requirements of New Zealand’s water and wastewater operators, from small rural supplies to large municipal networks. We work closely with local authorities, consultants, and industry partners to deliver tailored solutions that address both immediate risks and long-term sustainability goals.
As New Zealand continues to grapple with the complexities of nitrate contamination, Burkert New Zealand stands ready to support the industry with proven technology, local expertise, and a commitment to safeguarding public health. For more information, contact us today.
pH or oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) transmitter, ELEMENT design
- Compact measuring device for direct connection to the control level (PLC) via analogue 4…20 mA signal or digital IO-Link or Bürkert system bus (büS)/CANopen communication
- Parametrisation, calibration and transfer of parametrisation data all possible thanks to a removable display/configuration module
- Fast and easy adaptation of the device between pH and ORP measurement
- Use of 120 mm standard PG 13.5 pH/ORP probes with S8 connection. (Type 8203 recommended)
- Simple one- or two-point calibration can be carried out directly on the device; simulation of process values and diagnostic functions
pH- and ORP-probes
- For many different types of installations and applications
- Large selection of probe for a wide range of holder
- Useable for pipe DN 15…DN 200
Nitrate sensor
- UV photometer for nitrate monitoring
- Reagent-free optical measurement
- EDIP sensor: compatible with Type 8905/8906 measurement systems
- Xenon flash lamp, 3 channels for optical measurement with reduced interference
- Nano-coated glasses to reduce maintenance
1 News, R. (2025). Gore residents told not to drink tap water due to high nitrate levels. RNZ. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567362/gore-residents-told-not-to-drink-tap-water-due-to-high-nitrate-levels
2 Govt.nz. (2019). Maximum amount of nitrate that is acceptable in drinking water | Taumata Arowai. https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/news/articles/maximum-amount-of-nitrate-that-is-acceptable-in-drinking-water/.
3 Young, N. (2023). Nitrate map indicates NZ’s drinking water contamination levels. Greenpeace Aotearoa. https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/story/nitrate-map-drinking-water-contamination-levels-new-zealand/.
4 Prickett, M., Canning, A., Chambers, T., Baker, M. and Hales, S. (2024). Regulator failure on nitrate in drinking water dumps escalating costs on those downstream. Public Health Expert Briefing. https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/regulator-failure-nitrate-drinking-water-dumps-escalating-costs-those-downstream.