Dunedin City Council environmental health team leader Ros MacGill is concerned some people are drying carpet, intending to reuse it, after it was damaged by floodwater containing sewage and heavy metals.
Anyone doing so was urged to throw their carpets out, or get them professionally cleaned and sterilised, she said.
Reusing flood damaged carpet could expose people to infection from E. coli bacteria, as well as heavy metals and residues from tarseal and oil which were all found in the contaminated floodwater, she said.
''Drying carpets in the sun will only lay the E. coli spores dormant, but once the carpets are used those spores will then be added to the atmosphere and be breathed in,'' she said.
Council infrastructure and networks general manager Ruth Stokes, the council's recovery manager, said people would be best to throw out the carpets and make an insurance claim.
''Those that don't have insurance or aren't eligible for other government assistance can apply [to] the recently announced mayoral flood fund.
''It is important that people make the right decisions as we work ... to ensure community health is maintained.
''Don't save items that may later cause ill health. Anything that absorbed water should be discarded and replaced.''
The council would work with the Southern District Health Board to promote safe practices in the wake of the flood, she added.
