'Stellar' response from staff in wake of water scare

Dunedin Hospital staff are being praised for ''getting on with business'' in the wake of the city's water-quality scare.

A boil water notice was issued for parts of Dunedin yesterday after millions of litres of untreated ''raw'' water from the Ross Creek Reservoir entered the city's drinking supply.

Test were being carried out and an update on the levels of contamination was expected around 4pm today, a Dunedin City Council spokesperson said.

The hospital is continuing to operate its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), and incident controller Jenny Hanson said it was following advice from the DCC and staff had been advised not to use or drink the water.

The SDHB was working closely with the DCC, Civil Defence and other authorities in managing the water issues, she said.

“Southern DHB staff are stellar in their response to this incident and are getting on with the business of looking after patients.”

Public Health South Medical Officer of Health, Dr Keith Reid, says residents in the affected areas should not consume tap water, but using city water for bathing or showering was acceptable.

“Avoid swallowing the water and use bottled or boiled water for teeth brushing,” Dr Reid advises.

He said there had not been an increase in gastroenteritis in the Dunedin area.

 

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