Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi boil water notice lifted after E. coli scare

A boil notice for Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi ha sbeen lifted. Photo / FNDC

The Far North District Council has lifted a boil water notice for properties in Paihia, Ōpua and Waitangi.

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

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

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 had 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.

In a recent update, the FNDC said testing has now allowed them to lift the boil water notice.

“Daily testing has provided the required three days of clear results to enable the boil water notice to be lifted.”

“We will investigate the cause of the isolated result in the coming days and thank you for your vigilance and for following the precautionary measures over the past few days. We confirm there is no further requirement to boil water and that the notice has been lifted.”

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.