Issued on behalf of Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS)
 
Media statement
03 February 2009
 
Health Guidelines During Power Cut

 
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is issuing advice for safe food and recreational water practice following the power cut today, to parts of auckland - affecting up to 74,000 customers.
 
Power to the Oraki and St Helliers pumping stations, failed temporarily today, and raw sewerage discharged directly into the Waitemata Harbour. Power has now been restored.
 
Dr Cathy Pikholz, Medical Officer of Health at ARPHS, advises people to keep themselves, their children and their pets away from any sewerage overflows, and to avoid swimming - or other recreational water contact - close to St Helliers Bay and Okahu Bay, for the next 48 hours. Dr Pikholz also advises people not to collect shellfish from the sewerage affected areas.
 
While the situation appears to be resolving, it may remain unstable for a while, so people without electricity - or with intermittant electricity supply, should take also care with food preparation and storage.
 
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE POWER:
 

Open your fridge and freezer as little as possible

Leave bottles of water and other liquids in the fridge to keep other items cold

Eat perisable foods first, for example, bread and meat as they spoil more quickly

Remember the four Cs; cook, clean, cover, chill

Wash and dry hands throughly following the 20/20 rule (20 seconds of washing and 20 seconds of drying)

Hand sanitizers are a good alternative to handwashing when water supply is limited.

ENDS

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