Pātea. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The national water regulator has issued a boil water directive for Pātea.
In a post on its website, the South Taranaki District Council says Taumata Arowai - Water Services Authority directed it to issue a boil water notice for Pātea for health and well-being reasons.
"We advise that you boil tap water for cooking and drinking before use, until further notice (which we expect will be around 4 - 6 weeks). Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, infants and young children or those with a compromised immune system should take extra care," council warned.
It was working to get the advisory lifted and was planing to build a new water treatment plant for the town including ultraviolet disinfection.
Could explained Pātea water supply came from deep aquifers - that have served the town well for many decades - that contained elements which made treatment and disinfection challenging.
"New drinking water quality assurance rules were introduced in late 2022 and as a result the supply currently lacks sufficient disinfection to fully meet these. Untreated drinking water has a risk of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium that can make you sick.
"The Pātea water supply does not currently have effective disinfection treatment and carries a potential risk of micro-biological contamination in the water supply.
"Taumata Arowai has advised council that a boil water advisory is the only way to effectively manage the risk until a sufficient primary barrier is put in place. Boiling water is a simple but effective way of killing any bacteria, protozoa and viruses that may be present."
Deputy Mayor and Pātea local Rob Northcott said council had a rigourous sampling programme which continuously tested the town's water supply to monitor disinfection levels and for E.coli.
He considered the water safe.
"Nothing has changed, the water is the same. It's just that Taumata Arowai has insisted that we put a boiled water notice out.
"I guess, if you're really concerned and you have underlying health issues or vulnerable then boil your water by all means.
"But I'm at the end of the line so effectively I'm probably the one of those most affected, but I'm not boiling my water because the council is very stringent on testing, it's tested every day, so the water is the same as it has been for the last three to four years.
"It's just the standards have changed, so I'm not boiling my water. I'm carrying on as normal."
The council advisory said its daily testing to date had detected no E.coli in the water network and if any contamination is discovered it would would inform the community immediately.
"While the water is still the same as what we've previously had, the only way to be completely sure is to boil it until the UV unit is installed. The council is committed to having all safety barriers in place by building a new fully compliant water treatment plant in Pātea."
The advisory said council was planning to build a new Pātea Water Treatment Plant which included ultraviolet disinfection
"Over the next 4 - 6 weeks we are installing an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit which provides an effective barrier against protozoa and bacteria. We are also working on building a new water treatment plant which will fully meet the new standards. This new plant is currently out for tender and is expected to be completed within the next 12 months."
Boil Water Advisory safety precautions
When a boil water advisory is in effect, follow these guidelines for your safety and wellbeing.
- Boil water: Bring water to boil in a kettle, or in a pot on the stovetop until bubbles form. Allow to cool or use immediately for cooking or hot beverages. Boil all tap water you use for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, making ice, or preparing infant formula. Store cooled boiled water in a clean container with a lid. Refrigerate until needed.
- Use bottled water: You can pick up free bottled water from the Pātea LibraryPlus during usual opening hours.
- Dishes: All dishes should be washed with boiled water.
- Handwashing and showering: It is safe to use water and soap as long as you avoid swallowing the water. Take extra care and supervise young children.
- Other uses e.g. laundry: The risk of illness is very low where you are not going to drink the water. Laundry can be washed as normal.
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