Emergency Mobile Alert reactivated to extend boil water notice

The Emergency Mobile Alert regarding a Boil Water Notice in parts of New Plymouth following ex-Cyclone Gita will be re-sent after 2.30pm this afternoon.

Taranaki Civil Defence Controller Colin Comber says the initial message was originally scheduled to end today, but the time period has now been extended by a further week. Changing the dates on the notification means it will be re-sent to people in the affected area.

“The messaging itself is all about public health and safety and is sent to all alert-enabled phones in a geographic area, so people entering the area receive it as they come in. It is important visitors are aware of the boil water notice. We will halt this messaging completely when the boil water notice period is over,” Mr Comber says.

“New Plymouth District Council is doing a great job in restoring water supplies after the storm but we emphasise the need to continue to conserve and boil water before use in the affected areas.

“We have had a few comments and queries about the Emergency Mobile Alerts re-triggering for some phones over recent days and in the night. This may be related to intermittent or fluctuating cellular network coverage in the wake of the storm,” Mr Comber says.

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