Good progress on reconnecting water supply. Update 4:30pm, Thursday 22 February

Our team is making good progress on repairing the main water supply pipe that was broken on Tuesday by high winds from ex-Cyclone Gita.

The welding of the pipe sections is almost finished; we expect the pipe to be moved into position this evening and we’ll be working through the night for as long as it takes to get the job done.

We’re also investigating the feasibility of connecting an alternative water supplies, as a back-up to the main repair.

We will have the pipe reconnected as soon as possible. Once the pipe is fixed it will then take about 24 hours to refill our water catchment.

The boil water notice will remain in place for at least a week after the supply is reconnected while our water is returned to the national drinking water standard.

Our latest information will be on newplymouthnz.com and our Facebook page.

Situation to date, Residents
All properties in New Plymouth, Bell Block, Waitara, Tikorangi, Lepperton, Onaero and Urenui are on a boil water notice.
Only use tap water (including filtered water) for drinking after boiling it for one minute, and for flushing the toilet. Please use your emergency water supplies first.
If you are not sure what the water situation is for your property, please check the Water Supply Map: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/Residents/Your-Property/Water/Emergency-Water-Map
Information on personal hygiene and food safety is available from the Taranaki District Health Board here: http://tdhb.org.nz/news/documents/2018-02-21.shtml
Note: you can shower safely as long as you avoid your face, but young children should be sponge-bathed instead. You may want to use bottled or boiled water if you have recent surgical wounds or a chronic illness. However, we instruct all residents in the boil-water notice area to cut back on their water use and use tap water only for drinking (after boiling it for one minute) and flushing the toilet.
There is a total ban on using water for gardens or outside washing.

Situation to date, Businesses and Schools
We’re asking you to boil and save water.
It is up to businesses and schools to decide if they should shut, however all water must be boiled first before being consumed.
Schools should talk to the Ministry of Education.
Hairdressers in the amber and red areas of the interactive Water Supply Map on newplymouthnz.com may not operate, for their customers’ safety, as we cannot guarantee a continued water supply at this time.
All big water users have been asked to stop using water.
If you are not sure what the water situation is for your property, please check the Water Supply Map: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/Residents/Your-Property/Water/Emergency-Water-Map

Situation to date, Safe drinking water
Water from the tankers that have been provided in critical areas does not need to be boiled.
The tankers are operating from 6am to 9pm at the following sites:
• Hickford Park Car Park (end of Smeaton Road), Bell Block.
• Bell Block Court, Bell Block (outside The Warehouse).
• Outside Waitara Memorial Hall, Memorial Place, Waitara.
• Clifton Park car park, opposite Waitara High School, Princess Street, Waitara.
• Outside Tennis/Bowling Club, Manutahi Road, Lepperton.
• Rimu Street Industrial Park, Rimu Street, Merrilands, New Plymouth.
• Outside Mangorei School, Mangorei Road, New Plymouth.
Please take your own containers for filling.

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