A farmer in an area known as ground zero for high nitrate levels, is making fundamental changes to the way he farms in order to lesson his impact on water quality.
Levels in private drinking water bores in mid-Canterbury are on average five to seven times higher than most towns and cities and in some places exceed the amount deemed safe by the WHO.
Crop farmer David Birkett is determined to do something about it.
He spoke to Conan Young.
