Report on Havelock North water contamination delayed

Re-activating bore 3 to supplement Havelock North's drinking water supply over the summer months has contributed to the delay of a report on August's contamination outbreak.

The Havelock North drinking water inquiry panel's report on the township's water contamination in August last year has been delayed until May this year.

Originally set down to be delivered to Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson on March 31, the first stage that addresses the response to the incident, including findings of fact or fault, will now be presented on May 12, following Cabinet approval.

The second stage that addresses systemic issues and provide recommendations about managing water supplies across New Zealand is now due to be reported back by December 8 this year.

Announcing the time extension request, Mr Finlayson said it was due to a number of reasons including:

- Legal action between the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and the Hastings District Council;

- The need to ensure the interim safety of Havelock North's drinking-water;

- The inquiry's decision to adopt a two-stage approach to the inquiry;

- And the underlying complexity of the statutory and regulatory regimes involved.

"The issues facing the inquiry must be examined comprehensively to ensure we have a clear understanding of what happened in Havelock North," Mr Finlayson said.

"New Zealanders must be able to have confidence that the rules and practices which govern the safety of their drinking water are fit for purpose."