Water change for Mosgiel consumers

When Mosgiel residents turn on their taps next month they will be filling their glasses with fully treated water.

From October 5 until mid-November, the Dunedin City Council will be carrying out routine maintenance on Quarry Hill reservoir, which supplies Mosgiel.

To do this, the council will temporarily switch the water supply from local bores to Mt Grand water treatment plant.

Water and waste services network manager Rezaul Haque said the water from Mt Grand contained fluoride and was treated with chlorine, neither of which posed any health threat to consumers.

"Residents wishing to avoid the smell of chlorine, which is used to kill micro-organisms, are advised to place water in an open-topped container in their fridge.

"Any odour should dissipate overnight."

People with tropical fish were advised not to use tap water to fill tanks without first de-chlorinating the water.

Pills for that purpose were available from most pet supply stores.

The work on the reservoir involved fitting internal guttering to prevent rainwater contamination, cleaning the concrete surfaces of the reservoir itself and replacing faulty construction-joint seals, he said.

Mt Grand already supplied Wingatui residents and the Taieri Industrial Estate.

The alternative water supply would not compromise New Zealand Fire Service protection of the area.