Scientists at the University of Auckland have carried out the country’s first large scale trial of using wastewater to monitor alcohol consumption.
Ten water catchment areas covering about 40% of New Zealand’s population were monitored over six months during 2021, in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research’s (ESR) wastewater testing team, led by Andrew Chappell.
The samples came from four catchment areas in Auckland – north, central, west and south – and from Palmerston North, Wairoa, Dunedin, Queenstown, Westport and Christchurch.
Average alcohol consumption was estimated to be 1.2 standard drinks each day for people aged 15 and over. The university says this is notably lower than the estimate in a World Health Organization report in 2018.
South Islanders consumed more alcohol than North Islanders. Smaller settlements had higher consumption than bigger ones.
South Aucklanders also drank the least of any place studied.
"We hope that New Zealanders can overcome the stereotype that Māori and Pasifika are big drinkers," said Miriama Wilson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa), a student who worked on the project for her masters thesis.
The study showed that drinking spikes were associated with special events like public holidays and rugby, rugby league and cricket matches.
Consumption didn’t increase during Covid lockdowns but in some cases, it was higher during weekdays than weekends which was very different from the usual weekly trend.
The highest consumption recorded in Queenstown was on the day The Stallions male strip revue performed.
Many countries now carry out wastewater testing for alcohol.
“This method can give a lot of insights which wouldn’t otherwise be available,” says Dr Lisa Pilkington, a senior lecturer in the School of Chemical Sciences and Principal Investigator with Te Pūnaha Matatini.
“It’s also much cheaper compared to traditional data collection techniques, especially considering the breadth of data that is able to be measured”.
The paper is published in Chemistry: An Asian Journal.
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