28 Feb 2021

Akaroa businesses worried as town still being told to boil water

9:17 pm on 28 February 2021

The Banks Peninsula town of Akaroa is still being told to boil water and local businesses are worried it is scaring off customers.

Closeup shot of a man pouring a glass of fresh water from a kitchen faucet

Photo: 123RF

Christchurch City Council issued the notice two weeks ago after dead animals were found in the town's reservoir.

The risk to people's health was believed to be low, but there was a chance of developing gastro illnesses if water was not boiled, said Canterbury District Health Board medical officer of health Cheryl Brunton at the time the notice was issued.

The council is sending clean water in tanker trucks, and said it was working quickly to have the water supply temporarily bypass the contaminated reservoir.

Banks Peninsula Community Board member Jamie Stewart said locals were taking the boil water notice in their stride - though some were worried tourists were staying away because of it.

However, he said the businesses were running as normal and ready to welcome visitors.