Water woes: Gore told to avoid tap water, Havelock on boil notice
The Gore District Council said it has detected a nitrate level "slightly above" the maximum acceptable value for drinking water, as set out in the drinking water standards for New Zealand.
Elevated nitrate levels could affect infants under six months and pregnant women. Boiling water does not remove nitrates, and may increase concentrations.
A maximum level of nitrates in drinking-water was set to prevent Blue Baby Syndrome — a serious condition in infants that could lead to reduced oxygen availability.
Council general manager of critical services Jason Domigan said the health risk to the general population was "low" but the council advised all households to "avoid using tap water" for drinking purposes "until further notice.
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"This includes for drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth."
Water could still be used for washing, toilets, showers and baths, although care should be taken when bathing young children.
Animals have a higher tolerance to nitrate so owners could decide whether they wantedt o give their pets water from the tap, he added.
Domigan said the elevated levels were detected after a monthly sample showed an increase of nitrate in the water supply above usual levels.
"This prompted us to take an additional sample from the treatment plant this morning, which detected a nitrate level of 11.4 mg/L. The Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) is 11.3 mg/L."
The council said it has notified the southern district of Te Whatu Ora and Taumata Arowai, the country's water regulator, as required.
Four water tankers would be available to supply free drinking water:
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Eccles Street playground
Hokonui Drive by the Fire Station
Hamilton Street opposite Oxford St playground
Wentworth Street by Talbot Street
Havelock issued three-year boil water notice
Due to rule changes, the settlement at the head of Pelorus Sound has been told tap water is off limits. (Source: 1News)
Earlier this week, Havelock was issued a boil water notice with a three-year timeline.
The small town in the Marlborough region is located on the main route between Blenheim and Nelson.
In a statement, Taumata Arowai said the notice was in place because Havelock's water supply couldn't inactivate protozoa, a type of parasite which can make people sick.
Some business owners in the town feared the situation would put tourists off visiting the area.
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Havelock Garden Motel co-owner Kirsa Sowman told 1News: 'How are we supposed to provide water to our guests here at the motel … are we meant to provide [it]?'
Kelly, who runs a guesthouse in the town, said the lengthy wait could kill her business.
'If I had a choice of going to a place which had a boiled water notice or going to a place which didn't have a boiled water notice, I know what direction I'd be going in.'
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