24 Dec 2019

Christchurch boil water notice lifted as E coli tests clear

2:04 pm on 24 December 2019

A boil water notice affecting thousands of properties in eastern Christchurch has been lifted, as E coli tests have come up clear.

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Photo: Michael Heim/ 123rf

Residents in New Brighton and parts of Shirley, Waimari, Bexley, Burwood, Avondale and Aranui can safely use and drink water from their taps without fear of E coli contamination.

Laboratory tests of water samples taken from the Keyes pump station in Rawhiti Domain detected the presence of E coli on Saturday.

The water supply contamination affected 14,000 properties.

Christchurch city council spokesperson said water sampling over the past three days had found no evidence of E coli.

It is still not known how E coli entered the Keyes pump water station.

It will remain isolated from the network as crews investigate.

While the station is out of action, affected residents are being asked not to water their gardens except during times of low water demand.

The council said this would help ensure there was enough water for everyone and maintain network pressure.