Fed-up locals are rallying outside Environment Canterbury this morning, handing back contaminated drinking water in protest at years of council inaction that has left rural families unable to safely drink from their kitchen tap. At this meeting, councillors will vote on a motion to declare a ‘Nitrate Emergency’ – put forward by Councillor Vicky Southworth. “Today ECan councillors will leave this building for the last time before jumping on the campaign trail to try to win Cantabrians’ votes. And we’re here with people from across the region to say that we don’t want more dirty dairying. “Candidates in the Environment Canterbury election must defend freshwater by committing to end dairy expansion and phasing out the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.