Contaminated water: Ohakea neighbours unaware of test results

A family of five says government agencies have left them in the dark over drinking water contaminated by the Air Force. The family are among the closest neighbours of the Ohakea airbase near Palmerston North. The Defence Force said yesterday test confirm five properties there have toxic firefighting foam chemicals in drinking water at above acceptable levels. There are also two near Woodbourne. The foam's not been used since 2002 but the toxic chemicals in it do not break down in nature. Cindy Tom and Marcus Walsh say the first they heard of the new test results was last night when RNZ reporter Phil Pennington called in.