Far North boil water notice: Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi residents told to boil water

Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi have been placed on a boil water notice. Photo / FNDC

Properties in Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi have been told to not drink straight from the tap, as the towns were placed on a boil water notice.

This after E. coli was detected in the local supply.

The Far North District Council (FNDC) issued the boil water notice while it works to track the source and reassure the public the wider network is safe.

The FNDC said while some strains of E. coli can be harmless, others can cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and other illnesses. The boil water notice has therefore been put in place as a precautionary measure.

“Test results indicate a very low risk to public health but this cannot be confirmed 100% until further testing tomorrow morning,” a council statement said.

Those affected should boil water for at least one minute, should not rely on filters and should seek advice from a medical practitioner if they have symptoms of gastroenteritis.

The boil water notice applies to water used for drinking and ice, food preparation, oral hygiene and pets.

“In response to the detection of E.coli bacteria, the council is isolating Te Haumi 2 Reservoir to prevent any wider network contamination risk, while further investigation and testing of the network continues. The entire Paihia network has been tested today.”

National water services regulator Taumata Arowai has been informed of the boil water notice and is being updated on actions underway to return the supply to normal service.