Boil water notice may be lifted tomorrow

Dunedin residents in affected areas are advised to keep boiling their water in the wake of the...
Dunedin residents in affected areas are advised to keep boiling their water in the wake of the contamination scare. Photo Getty

Dunedin's boil water notice brought in after untreated water leaked into the supply from Ross Creek may be ended tomorrow.

Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose said the latest tests of the water showed the risk was low.

Samples had been taken from Ross Creek itself, and the results showed levels of bacteria were, at worst, still within levels acceptable for swimming.

The news followed Southern District Health Board advice the public the risk of contracting gastroenteritis due to the water quality issues was low.

Infrastructure and networks general manager Ruth Stokes said information would be released tomorrow on how to flush water cyclinders.

They were expected to have to be flushed three times.

Earlier today Dr Bidrose said the boil water notice was expected to be place until Saturday.

The lifting of the boil water notice was at the discretion of the council and may be lifted before a clear protozoa test result was issued, which was not expected to arrive from the laboratory before weekend, Dr Bidrose said.

Dr Bidrose said the DCC has received two days of clear bacteria test results from the samples taken in affected areas.

“The best case scenario we are now working towards is receiving a third clear bacteria test late tomorrow, which would allow us to then lift the boil water notice.

“In the meantime, people in the affected area should remain vigilant and continue to boil water until further notice,” Dr Bidrose said. 

The risk of Dunedin people contracting illness because of this week's water contamination is low, the Southern District Health Board says.

Public Health South Medical Officer of Health Dr Keith Reid said none of the tests so far had shown "bugs were present in the water supply at any time as a consequence of this incident".

The risk of contracting gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) due to the water quality issues in central Dunedin was low, Dr Reid said.

"Mild gastroenteritis is not uncommon but it’s usually not caused by waterborne bugs and it usually clears up by itself.”

However, if members of the public are concerned about gastroenteritis symptoms they should seek advice from Healthline, their GP or after hour’s doctor in the first instance.

Public Health South’s monitoring of gastroenteritis showed there had not been an increase in gastroenteritis in the Dunedin area.

The usual level of notified bacterial gastroenteritis in Dunedin was less than one case per day and of protozoal illness (waterborne parasites) less than one case a week.

Southern DHB was  still running an Emergency Operations Centre in response to the boil water notice issued by the council for the central and north Dunedin area, which included Dunedin Hospital.

The DHB continued to monitor and manage its operations in light of the water issues and would provide further updates if required.
For information on where to go if you are feeling unwell, please see the chart attached.  

In a statement today, council Chief Executive Sue Bidrose said last night’s results measured the level of bacteria (e.g. E. coli) in the water at the time the samples were taken – about midday on Tuesday – after flushing of the system had started.

Those results were within normal safe drinking water standards.

“It is important to note that this water was diluted by treated water in the system and the test is a ‘worst case’ result.

“We will release all results to the public as soon as we get them,” Dr Bidrose said.

DCC business advisors and environmental health officers are available to help with advice about business continuity, and food preparation and safety.

Concerned businesses should call 03 477 4000 for further advice. Information is also available at www.dunedin.govt.nz/boil-water-notice.

Water tankers

Eight water tankers are available for businesses and the public. People wanting to collect water should bring their own containers. These should not be rinsed with tap water before being used to store clean water.

The Octagon (available throughout the night)

Corner Dundas Street and Montgomery Avenue (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Outside Otago Museum (main entrance) (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Outside George Street Normal School (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Outside the Oval BP forecourt (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Outside Hunters Furniture, Cumberland Street (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Outside Emerson’s Brewery, Anzac Avenue (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

Logan Park High School car park, Butts Road (available until 10pm tonight, returns 6am tomorrow)

 

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