Christchurch City Council says people in several eastern suburbs must keep boiling their tap water after tests again found bacteria in the Rawhiti water supply zone.
The notice began on Saturday and affects New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore, where residents were sent an emergency mobile alert warning of a public health risk. On Sunday lunchtime, the council said most water samples from around the wider zone were “looking good”. However, a second positive test at the same location meant the warning could not yet be removed. The council said the notice will only be lifted when it can reassure Taumata Arowai, New Zealand’s water regulator, that the water is safe. Part of that check will include getting at least three straight days of good test results.
To help families, the council will reopen a community drinking water station at 345 Keyes Road, where people can fill containers with chlorine-free water that has been confirmed safe.
Council staff and contractors are still investigating what may have caused the problem and are taking more samples across the area. Residents are being told to boil water for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth and washing fruits and vegetables. Water used for baby formula, juices and ice should also be boiled.
The council says water needs to be kept at a rolling boil for at least one full minute, even if it has been filtered. The alert also warns that “instant” boiling systems may not heat water enough, and that electric kettles are fine as long as they are filled properly and allowed to boil normally. About 30,000 residents live in the notice area, based on the most recent Census figures.
