Residents want pure water back

John Bennett, Napier fills up some drink bottles at the chlorine free water tap at Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier.

Jeremy Bayliss doesn't like the impact chlorine is having, on his business and Napier's reputation.

The owner of the Napier Brewing Company in Westshore, Jeremy has had to purchase filters to ensure no trace of chlorine interferes with his company's brewing process, but his concern extends to the tourism sector as well.

"When it comes to visitors, we're going to start feeling that impact in the future," he says. "We've hung our hats on the fact that people don't need bottled water in Napier, that the water here is amazing. Now that we're chlorinating, it's really disappointing."

The city's water supply was chlorinated in late May, after a positive reading for E. coli was returned at one of the Napier City Council's Park Island sites. The positive reading was 1, the lowest level possible. Anything under 1 is classed as safe to drink.

Although there have been no further positive E. coli tests returned during daily testing across the network, chlorination has continued as a way to disinfect the pipes.

A secure chlorine dosing site was established in Taradale, injecting chlorine into the reticulated system 24 hours a day. With the exception of Otatara and Puketapu, all of Napier is being chlorinated.

Council's manager asset strategy, Chris Dolley, says they will determine the chlorination is no longer necessary when there is stable residual chlorine levels across the network.
The end of the chlorine treatment can't come too soon for Jeremy.

"The big loss is being able to turn on the tap and have a beautiful glass of water," he says.
"I'd prefer to see council spend the money on solving the problem rather than using the simple solution of throwing in some chlorine."

Napier's cafes have not felt the effect of chlorination because their coffee machines are already equipped with water filters.

"They filter out all the nasty stuff and keep your water clean," says St Germain Coffee & Cake co-owner Cara Muir.

"And it helps so no crap gets up into the machine as well.
"I haven't had anyone say their coffee tastes any different or smells any different."

Cara says she doesn't like the idea of chlorine in the water.

"After being in Australia and then coming back and realising that Hawke's Bay didn't have chlorine in the water, and it was more pure, it was a nice idea.

"I don't want to drink chlorinated water."

STORY: NAPIER COURIER