Chlorine to be added to Birdlings Flat water

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Chlorine will be added to drinking water at Birdlings Flat while work to improve the area's wellhead is under way.

Christchurch City Council acting head of three waters Tim Drennan said the chlorine would provide an extra safety barrier and ensure the water supply complied with the
Government’s strict new standards that make it mandatory for owners of
reticulated water supplies to add chlorine to the water, unless they
get an exemption from national water regulator Taumata Arowai.

“We have work scheduled next year to improve the Birdlings Flat
wellhead. Once that work is complete we hope to be able to apply for
an exemption ... which
would allow us to remove chlorine from the water supply,’’ he said.

“In the meantime we need to add a low level of chlorine to the water
supply. We will start doing that from 21 November 2022."

Birdlings Flat residents may smell or taste chlorine in their
water. The chlorine is harmless but if residents are concerned about
the taste, they can keep drinking water in a jug in the fridge. The
chlorine taste will dissipate naturally over a few hours.

“We want to remind residents living in Birdlings Flat that while
chlorine adds another layer of protection it’s still important to stay
up-to-date with storage tank cleaning and maintenance.”

Work to improve the Birdlings Flat wellhead is expected to begin in mid 2023.