THE boil water restriction remains in place today on Sunday, January 5, 2020 and until further notice.

The restriction was put in place yesterday, Saturday January 4, 2020 after a positive test for E Coli bacteria was returned from a routine water sample.  

The sample showed a high level of the harmful bacteria. The Kawerau District Council immediately notified the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and other agencies. In conjunction with the BOPDHB Medical Officer of Health it was determined to put the ‘boil water notice’ in place for the Kawerau District.

The Council is investigating the cause of the contamination and as part of the process is undertaking further testing of water samples on a daily basis.

Water samples are tested 24 hours after they are taken, to enable any bacteria growth to be measured. The sample from yesterday, Saturday January 4 returned a negative reading for E Coli.

While this is a pleasing result, Kawerau District Council Chief Executive Russell George said the restriction for residents to boil their water remains in place until further negative tests are returned.

“Once the notice is put in place, the Council is directed by the Medial Officer of Health and the Ministry of Health in terms of when the restriction is lifted.”

“We advise residents to continue to bring drinking water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. This water can then be cooled and used for drinking, teeth cleaning and for washing vegetables, fruit and salad that may be eaten raw.”

Further tests were taken today and these results will be known and communicated as soon as they are known on Monday, January 6, 2020.

Mr George said he was thankful for the many residents who had taken the time to check on friends, whanau and neighbours – as of course not necessarily everyone has access to social media or even the radio.

Once the notice to boil water was put in place, the Council immediately contacted Radio 1XX to advise residents and then set about using Council communication channels like Facebook and the website to notify our residents.

Mr George said the boil water notice was also in place for the two chlorine-free drinking stations at River Road and in the Town Centre.

“We appreciate this is a concern for people particularly those with young children or elderly, but Ministry of Health guidelines assure us that boiling the water for at least a minute and then cooling it – the water is safe to consume.”

Caution should be taken with toddlers and young children in the bath to ensure they don’t consume any water.

For more information please visit the Kawerau District Council website or Facebook or phone 07 306 9009.

[ENDS]

For more information, please contact:

Tania Humberstone, Communications Manager, Phone 027 464 3785