Coming on four years of chlorinating our waters
Can you believe it has been four years since council decided as a precaution to chlorinate our water while they do the project of raising the well heads around Christchurch? The project is done, yet the chlorinating of our water hasn't.
Have you noticed your health suffering over the years since they started chlorinating the water?
> Itchy and dry skin,
> watery eyes in the morning,
> some time sharp milky yellow shards and other times acidic eye sleep,
> dehydration headaches even though you have drunk plenty of water,
> problems with stomach digestion, stomach pains, and soft stool,
> either new onset asthma or stronger more frequent asthma,
> feel like you are drinking pool water or just step out of a pool,
Well, then you likely are suffering from sensitivity now due to the chlorine and chloramine that has been added to our water supply. The argument that has been used around the world is that chlorine kills bad bacteria in water. The reality is it kills all bacteria, good, bad, it is indiscriminate and ingesting the water means you are damaging the good bacteria in your gut. The long term consequences can be mental fogginess, allergic reactions to things that used to not both you, skin problems, and a raft of other long term health problems.
I am the canary in a coal mine since I have a VP shunt which means my spinal fluid is drained and replenished from the water I drink every couple days, this means when I drink the chlorinated water, wash my hands, take a shower (which is effectively drinking 8-10 glasses of water), it results in a slow chemical burn in my brain (think bad rope burn, but over every inch of your head). It may affect me worse, but I am only one voice and I am sure these other symptoms are being felt throughout Christchurch.
The Ministry of Health has gotten out of the drinking water regulation game this last year and transferred it to Taumata Arowai. This has given us an opportunity to get our voices heard and to discuss what we want and expect in our drinking water. If you have noticed an effect, had to get a water filtration/purification system, or simply not want to keep on adding chemicals to our drinking water for generations to come, now is the time to let our voices be heard.
Click on the Public Comment link for hinekorako.taumataarowai.govt.nz...
To express your issues and concerns.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.