By ANNE BESTON
Waiuku residents are happy drinking their water, even if it is rated the worst in Auckland.
The small town south of Auckland was quick to defend its drinking supply yesterday after revelations in the Herald that softdrink giant Coca-Cola will stop using the water because it has failed 18 tests for faecal bacteria in the past year.
Waiuku's bore water, which supplies 6000 residents, has an E rating. Most other Auckland supplies are A or A1.
Coca-Cola's decision has not impressed the locals.
"It's beautiful water because there's no chlorine in it," said 73-year-old retired abattoir worker Fred Grant. "You could drink a bucketful of the stuff and it wouldn't hurt you."
Theresa Wearne, 34, has been drinking Waiuku water for 33 years and said it tasted better than Auckland water.
"We've all got kids. We wouldn't let them drink the water if we thought it wasn't safe."
But the Franklin District Council could be forced to chlorinate the supply. Dr Donald Campbell, the Auckland medical officer of health, has told the council the bore water is "exposing residents to unnecessary risk."
He has called on it to remedy the situation.
The Waiuku/Awhitu Community Board has recommended that the council hold a referendum on the issue.
The council will discuss the issue in September.
Waiuku water a tasty, healthy drop: locals
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.