Spring clean for Patea pipes

Patea's water supply will have chlorine in it for the next month.

South Taranaki District Council water supply manager Peter Cook said the water will be chlorinated from Friday for about four weeks to make sure the town's pipes are clean.

"Chlorination is commonly used in water supplies to protect against bacterial contamination and keep water safe to drink. We chlorinate the Patea water supply several times a year to achieve this," said Mr Cook.

"When we chlorinate the water supply it may have a different taste and smell - but this will reduce over time. If you don't like the chlorine taste, try putting a container of water in the fridge or in direct sunlight, or maybe use a jug with a carbon filter," he says.

He said fish do not like chlorinated water (it can kill them) "so please always check your water before filling fish tanks or ponds.

"It is best if you have a means of testing for chlorine as it may be present at any time".