Coca-Cola halts use of 'worst' Auckland water

By ALAN PERROTT

Softdrink giant Coca-Cola Amatil has discovered it has been using the worst water in Auckland in its products.

The Mt Wellington plant is stopping its use of Waiuku water after finding that the town's supply system failed 18 tests for faecal bacteria between July 1999 and June 2000.

Waiuku water is graded E whereas most other Auckland supplies, including that of bulk-water supplier Watercare Services, are graded A or A1.

Auckland Healthcare medical officer of health Dr Donald Campbell said Waiuku water was the worst water supply in the Auckland region. "An E rating means there is significant risk."

Yesterday, a spokesman from Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand, who would not be named, said the company had been using relatively small quantities of Waiuku water since January.

Despite having 100 per cent confidence in their water purification process, in light of recent information the company would now use water from another source, he said.

He could not say how much of the town's water had been used or in which products.

Dr Campbell is worried the test failures have continued despite representations from himself and his predecessors to the Franklin District Council.

He wants the council to begin treating the water to stop Waiuku residents being exposed to unnecessary risk.

Waiuku community board chairman Bill Deed said Coca-Cola's decision was disappointing but would not change the town's view that there was nothing wrong with the water.

"There is nothing we can do about their decision and it is disappointing the commercial value of our water will be diminished, but I still want to see it left alone.

"It is our water, we drink it, we buy it and we are satisfied with it."

Mr Deed said the latest water tests showed very low levels of contamination.

He wants Franklin Council to conduct a referendum of Waiuku's 6000 water customers before making any decisions.

Waiuku resident and St John Ambulance officer Linda McKee said water had become an emotional issue for residents.

"It is the one thing every living being needs. If someone else starts putting chemicals in our water you are forcing us to drink them and that is wrong."

Dr Campbell said there was a difference between nice taste and the risk of infection.

"If there are organisms in the water you will not taste them and you will not see them. It might taste good, but they are still there."

Franklin District Council chief executive Stephen Town said the council would discuss the issue in September.

Until now, it had been happy to go along with the majority opinion in Waiuku. But he said it might be time to reconsider, given ongoing test failures and the possibility of legal action against the council if someone became ill from drinking the water.