Dunedin tap water warning: High levels of dominate found in two towns’ samples

By RNZ

Those resident in two townships north related with Dunedin have been ordered to stop using only tap water for drinking, cooking since preparing food due to elevated ratings of lead.

Dunedin Local Council and Public Health South described the notice affected people located in Karitane and Waikouaiti.

The council said officials ended up investigating the cause behind significantly expanded lead levels detected at number of drinking water sampling sites, and the uncooked water reservoir.

A 3 Waters group manager, Jeff Dyer, said the discovery was performed during recent sampling, with the odd results reported to the drinking water assessor and checked to ensure they were detailed.

Southern DHB doctors officer of health Susan Jack port is recommending that as a care, households not use tap water concerning drinking, cooking or preparing sweets while the source of the contamination is now being looked at.

The water documented safe to use for bathing, washing fretting hand and clothes.

Nonetheless , boiling the water does not remove take, and rather can increase it can be concentration in water.

“We do need to rule out the risk that their elevated readings are the result of often the contamination of the wider water supply, micron Jack said.

“We understand this news will be concerning. Our factory is acting from a principle of alarm, and wanting to give the community nearly as much information as possible as we work to the situation. ”

Dyer said the water was sourced around the Waikouaiti River and supplied about it 1500 people in the Waikouaiti together with Karitane townships.

Liquids tankers are being arranged for several vacation spots so that people have access to clean normal water. Locations will be advertised as soon as they are offered, the council said.

Dyer said the source of the direction was unclear.

“The sampling was being undertaken as part of an asset management investigation, rather than drinking water requirements monitoring. We were not expecting your unusual results, but they warrant a huge precautionary approach. Subsequent water product offers have not shown elevated levels of contribute, ” he said.

“We’re ramping up our selection, but at this stage, it is unclear just how long the water notice will remain in place. Now that we know more, we will share this review with the community. ”