Havelock North inquiry to start again next week

August's contamination saw 5500 people fall ill, was linked to three deaths, cost local agencies nearly $4m, and sparked national concern about the safety of untreated water. Photo / File

The Government Inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination is set to reconvene for a public hearing next week.

The hearing begins on Tuesday, June 27, and is expected to continue for three days until June 29. This marks the first hearing in the second stage of the inquiry into last August's campylobactor outbreak, which struck down nearly 5500 people with gastroenteritis.

Stage one of the inquiry ended in May with the release of its findings into the contamination's likely cause.

Held between October 2016 and May 2017, this stage addressed the regulatory regimes, the facts of the campylobacter outbreak and the question of failures by agencies to meet required standards.

Stage two will look at lessons to be learned, how to prevent outbreaks in the future and changes to improve the safety of drinking water.

Next week's hearing is to consider the current and ongoing safety of Havelock North drinking water.

This includes progress made on aquifer investigations from which Hastings and Brookvale 3 bores draw water, plans for the treatment of Havelock North's water, and the Hastings District Council's updated water safety plan and its current emergency response plan.

It would also review the operation of the Hawke's Bay Drinking Water Joint Working Group which was set up in December 2016 and includes representation from Hastings District Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, and Drinking Water Assessors.

It would include a wider consideration of possible forms of collaboration and partnership between agencies responsible for providing safe drinking water.

In August, another hearing to address stage two issues is expected to be held. This would include overarching questions around the concept of a "secure" water supply and whether this classification meant non-treatment was acceptable.

It would also consider whether all drinking water should be treated, including arguments against and the wishes of the community.

• The public hearing begins at 10am on Tuesday, June 27 at Hastings District Court, 106 Eastbourne Street West, Hastings.