Let's talk drinking water!
If you have a private bore, anywhere in the District, it is recommended that you boil your water following the recent flooding.
Shallow bores in any location can be contaminated from surface water, but especially when there has been heavy rain and groundwater levels rise to be much closer to the surface than normal.
This recommendation will be in place for a while yet, but exactly how long for is difficult to say. We would refer you to the Health NZ guidance(external link).
Testing your water
If you want to test your water for bacterial contamination, it can be tested for e.coli as an indicator of contamination. A laboratory can do the test.
Cawthron Laboratories(external link) - 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010. Phone 03 548 2319
Hills Laboratory(external link) - Phone 0508 44 555 22 or +64 7 858 2000
How to boil water for drinking
- Bring water to a rolling boil (where bubbles appear in the centre and do not disappear when the water is stirred) for one minute or boil a full electric jug until it switches off.
- Cool the water (do not use ice cubes to do this) and pour into clean container with a lid.
- Refrigerate until needed.
Boil all your water for the following purposes
- Drinking water
- Food preparation
- Mixing cold beverages
- Utensil washing
- Brushing teeth
- Pets
- Ice making