Boil water notice remains in force

Better safe than sorry in Waverley after positive E. coli test

Residents in Waverley still need to boil all their drinking water.

They were advised on Saturday to boil water used for drinking, brushing teeth and food preparation after routine tests detected Escherichia coli (known as E. coli) bacteria in the town water supply.

South Taranaki District Council communications manager Gerard Langford said on Tuesday the warning still stood.

Earlier, group manager of engineering services Brent Manning said the council had been notified of the test result on Saturday morning, and by late afternoon council staff had door-knocked the entire township.

Mr Manning says the "boil water" notice was a precautionary measure while further tests were carried out, but the council wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

"We have subsequently received further test results late on Sunday afternoon which came back clear of any E. coli, however we will keep the boil water notice on until we have several consecutive clear results so we can be absolutely sure," Mr Manning said.

"Bringing water to the boil is enough to kill all bugs, however we recommend boiling water for about one minute. Electric jugs with a cut-off switch can be used as long as they are full -- allow the water to come to the boil and wait for it to switch off. Do not hold the switch down to increase the boiling time," he said.

"Water can also be placed in a clean metal pan and brought to a rolling boil for one minute, then should be covered and allowed to cool in the same container."

The council is in regular contact with the Taranaki District Health Board and is taking advice on precautionary measures. Anyone showing symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and/or a fever should contact their doctor as soon as possible.

Mr Manning says the boil water notice will remain in place until an investigation is completed.

Further information and updates will be provided at www.southtaranaki.com and the council's Facebook page. Residents can contact the council on 0800 111 323.