A boil-water notice for thousands of central Auckland residents will remain in place today as Watercare continues to investigate an E. coli result detected in a routine water sample.
Watercare, Auckland Council’s infrastructure asset management company, said in an update this afternoon that it has been “working hard in the area” and carried out eight new samples in the zone and 13 in the adjacent zones, with all of the samples showing no E. coli.
The “precautionary” notice remains in place as a “standard public health measure, taken in consultation with Taumata Arowai, our water regulator”.
“Our investigations show that the most likely cause of the one E. coli test result was an issue with one sample tap. We have replaced the tap and are retesting and will have the results in the morning. If the next sample is normal, we will lift the notice,” Watercare said.
Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne said “only the zones marked on the maps are affected” – with no risk to the rest of Auckland.
“We understand that keeping this boil-water notice in place is disruptive for people and businesses and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we do this extra testing.
“Our bulk water infrastructure – water treatment plants and transmission watermains – supply water to bulk supply points around Auckland, which then supply water to the different network distribution zones.
“These zones allow us to control network operation like water pressure and, importantly, to contain any potential water quality issues to a small area. This means there is no risk to the wider Auckland network. Water samples are taken at least once a day from sample taps across all the distribution zones.”
It comes after Watercare said it was taking a “cautious approach” to yesterday’s positive result, which triggered the boil water notice.
Watercare issued the notice for 7800 properties across Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings after a single test showed traces of E. coli.
About 40 tests are taken throughout the Auckland network each day.
All other results in the area were within normal ranges, Watercare said.
Two water tankers are publicly available at 113 Duke St, outside Big King Reserve, and in Carlton St’s Hillsborough Park carpark.
A third water tanker was brought in last night to support elderly residents at Ranfurly Village in Three Kings, with a fourth added this morning, village manager Graham Mitchell said.
While there hadn’t been many disruptions for staff or residents, Mitchell said they were “waiting like everyone else” for the ongoing test results.
Watercare said the water tankers were “well stocked” and available until the notice was lifted.
Residents are asked to bring clean, secure containers for water collection.
Watercare’s activity appeared to be centred around Big King Reserve when the Herald visited both public water tanker sites this morning.
There was a steady drip of residents filling up their vessels or enquiring about the notice. Watercare vehicles and workers were stationed around the Duke St water pump station, or ascending the maunga to its onsite reservoir.
Watercare told the Herald its teams were “undertaking a range of precautionary measures” at Big King Reserve, such as water quality sampling, inspections of the reservoir, and inspections of network assets in the wider area.
“Crews are also walking streets and inspecting infrastructure as part of our investigations to identify any potential issues,” Watercare said.
“This work is continuing and will remain underway until the boil water notice can be safely lifted.”
The notice covers about 7800 homes and businesses around Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings.
Not all streets in each suburb are affected, and Watercare has supplied the maps below for people to see if their property is included.
Drinking water remains safe to consume outside the areas on the maps.
Watercare said there was “no evidence” of a region-wide problem. The notice was a “precautionary measure” in case residents fell ill while investigations were ongoing.
“We understand that this notice will have an impact on households and businesses across the area but it’s important that we act carefully in the interest of public health.”
Residents are being advised to boil tap water before drinking it or using it for food preparation.
Boiled or bottled water should also be used for cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food until further notice.
Watercare said boiling water in an electric kettle once is enough to kill bacteria and other organisms, after which the water can be cooled and used normally.
For people unable to boil their own water or buy bottled, Watercare’s public tankers can provide safe drinking water.
E. coli is a group of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of people and animals. Most types are harmless, but some can cause illness or indicate the presence of other pathogens.
E. coli can spread through contaminated food, including undercooked meat and raw milk, contaminated water, contact with people who are sick and contact with farm animals, animal faeces, and soil.
It can also spread easily from person to person if infected people do not wash their hands properly.
Symptoms are often mild, but they can be more serious when young children, older people, and people with weakened immune systems are infected.
Symptoms can include stomach cramps, diarrhoea – sometimes bloody – and nausea and vomiting.
Most people get better within five to seven days.
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.