All water, including filtered water, needs to be continuously boiled for at least one minute, although jugs with an automatic cut-off switch can be used, as long as they are full.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Christchurch residents in eastern suburbs are being warned to boil their water because of bacteria contamination.
A public health alert was issued for people living in New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore.
Water bottles are flying off the shelves at PAK’nSAVE Wainoni following a boil water notice.
Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
It said all water, including filtered water, needs to be continuously boiled for at least one minute, although jugs with an automatic cut-off switch can be used, as long as they are full.
Residents and people travelling into the areas will receive text alerts about the problem.
A map of the boil water notice area in Christchurch.
Photo: Supplied
Christchurch City Council said total coliforms were found in the water.
“As part of our normal sample programme, we test for E.coli and total coliforms. The sample showed no E.coli was present, just total coliforms,” a council spokesperson told RNZ.
“Total coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, and their presence in the water network serves as an indicator of potential contamination and the possible existence of harmful pathogens.”
The council said staff and contractors are in the area undertaking further testing and investigations to understand the cause of the contamination.
The boil water notice will be in place until further notice, it said.
“Other water supply options are being looked at too. With around 14,000 households affected, it’s just not possible to have tankers on every street, so any extra support needs to be prioritised where it can help the most.”
The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is currently on, which sees runners run from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to New Brighton Beach in Christchurch on the East Coast. A Christchurch councillor said a water tanker is en route to New Brighton to support the Coast to Coast.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.