Hastings residents, businesses taking extra precautions with water

News that one of the nine tankers supplied by the Hastings District Council had tested positive for E. coli has got some people in Hastings on edge.

Hastings residents and businesses were on edge yesterday after hearing that one of the nine tankers supplied by the Hastings District Council had tested positive for E. coli.

Hastings Business Association general manager Susan McDade said they were still open for business but everyone was taking extra precautions.

"No businesses have closed or thought about closing but many were taking extra measures," Mrs McDade said.

It is really scary and I would definitely be wanting to stay away from restaurants and cafes.

Rosie Bourke, Hastings resident

She said a lot of people had been coming to the association since the gastro outbreak asking about emergency plans and continuity plans.

"They were asking us what they should do in events like this and it was definitely a wake-up call for many."

Sutto manager Graeme Smith said it would confirm his "worst nightmare" if the Hastings supply was contaminated.

"If anything it has certainly taught us to up our game on the hygiene front," he said.

Mr Smith said they were already boiling any water they used for food and drinks and were only selling bottled water to try to reduce the risk.

Jonathon Dick and Hamahona Ambler enjoyed a cup of coffee at the cafe yesterday morning and said the news had definitely made them think twice.

"I think it makes you paranoid not knowing what water is currently safe," Mr Dick said.

They both agreed that it would affect their decision to eat and drink in town and hoped the issue would be resolved soon with the local businesses hit badly.

"I know for us we are having to push everything out two weeks, as most of our staff are down either with the bug or looking after families," Mr Ambler said.

Mrs McDade said a lot of businesses in Hastings were run by Havelock North residents, particularly the accountant and law firms.

"Companies had a quiet week with a lower number of customers and also staff."

BJ's Bakery manager Paytra Brown was concerned by the news but said so far the business was coping.

They were notified about the water at 10.45am yesterday and since then had stopped serving tap water. "We put a copy of the email we received by the counter advising our customers of the current situation," she said.

Hastings resident Rosie Bourke had been avoiding Havelock North and said with the new information she was tempted to stay at home.

"It is really scary and I would definitely be wanting to stay away from restaurants and cafes," she said.

The council said the Hastings and Flaxmere water supply was chlorinated yesterday as part of a precautionary approach.