Napier water to be chlorinated as precaution
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Napier City Council have agreed chlorination of the Enfield Road Reservoir that
supplies much of Napier is necessary, as a precautionary measure, following a positive e-coli sample result from the
reservoir today.
The Enfield Road Reservoir services much of Napier including Taradale and Bay View at the moment.
Medical Officer of Health Nick Jones said further testing would be done as today’s result was an indicative test. “This
test does not give us a clear idea of whether it is a health concern at this stage, however, chlorinating the water was
the only way to prevent potentially contaminated water from being distributed throughout the reservoir’s zone.”
Dr Jones said if the water was contaminated authorities didn’t want to lose a day waiting for further testing to come
back.
There have been no increased reports of sickness in the Napier area, however if anyone was feeling sick with diarrhoea
and/or vomiting that lives in this area they should see or call their health professional or call Healthline 0800 611
116
The district health board has alerted the Ministry of Health and general practice in the Napier area. Napier schools
have also been asked to report any increase in sickness to the Ministry of Education.
Dr Jones said the risk of contamination in the reticulated water system, supplied by the Enfield Road Reservoir, was low
as tests from the water in the system outside of the reservoir were negative.
ENDS