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The Potential Hazard On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems in Darfield and Kirwee Present to Local Groundwater Quality and Critique of Current Assessment Methods

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.

Summary

This report was prepared for the Ministry of Health to review the hydrogeological setting in the Darfield-Kirwee area, assess the vulnerability of the aquifer underlying the central Canterbury Plains to water quality impacts from the septic tank clusters, and analyse the functionality of Selwyn District Council’s (SDC’s) groundwater quality monitoring well network.

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