Fonterra has admitted nitrate levels in drinking water near its ghost farms has increased - some to higher than the acceptable levels.
An RNZ investigation has revealed that the dairy giant is using 16 empty farms to dispose of factory wastewater, and nitrates have leached into nearby water supplies.
Fonterra has given some neighbours filters to make their water safe.
An University of Otago public health expert, Dr Tim Chambers, says the maximum level of nitrate in drinking water should be 11 times lower than current rules allow.
Corin Dann spoke to Fonterra's global sustainability director Carolyn Mortland who told me they're doing more than what the rules require them to, in order to mitigate the impacts of the nitrates.
