URGENT: BOIL ALL DRINKING WATER Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach until further notice

The Team from Wellington Water

LATEST UPDATE: 2pm 05/03/18

Continue to Boil Water in Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach until further notice.

- Water will be turned off this afternoon (Monday 5 March) for up to four hours while we conduct super chlorination of the water supply for Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach.
- We have been taking daily samples since last Wednesday in four locations along the length of potential contamination.
- We require three consecutive days of clear results before the boil water notice can be lifted.



FAQs

Do I need to boil my water?
If you live on Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach you need to boil you water until further notice.

What are you doing to make the water safe to drink?
Chlorination and flushing of the network is underway. Chlorine is a disinfectant that kills bacteria and giardia. Customers may notice the smell of chlorine in their water, and a fair bit of water ‘wasted’, as we flush the networks.

Can chlorine affect existing conditions?
Yes, in a small number of people chlorine can be an irritant for an existing condition such as asthma or eczema. If you notice increased skin irritation, asthma symptoms or other symptoms - seek medical advice.
You can contact Heathline 24/7 free on 0800 611 116 or your family doctor (GP).

How long do I need to boil the water for?
Boiling will kill all disease-causing organisms.
• Place the water in a clean metal pan and bring the water to a rolling boil (where bubbles appear in the centre and do not disappear when the water is stirred) for one minute
• Alternatively, boil an electric jug full of water until the switch turns off.
• Cool water (do not use ice cubes to do this) and pour into clean container with a lid
• Refrigerate until needed

I have a water filtration unit installed. Does this make the water safe?
No. Filtered water should also be boiled for one minute before using it for drinking, food preparation or brushing your teeth.

Can I use my coffee machine, soda machine or ice maker?
Machines that are connected to the water supply should not be used. Use boiled water or bottled water for making coffee, ice or soda drinks.

Can I use the shower and bath?
Yes you can, as long as you don’t swallow the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge bathed to reduce the chance of them swallowing the water.

Can I still use the water for washing the dishes and doing the laundry?
Dishes can be washed using boiled water. If your dishwasher has a hot setting, it can be used to wash dishes. If it doesn’t have a hot setting, once it’s finished, rinse the dishes in a bleach solution afterwards (2 drops unscented household bleach per 1 litre of water).
Allow the dishes to completely air dry. You can continue to do your laundry as you normally would.

Is it safe to wash my hands in the tap water?
Yes it is, as long as you follow a proper handwashing technique. This includes rubbing all parts of your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds and drying your hands.

What should I do about feeding my baby?
If breastfeeding, continue as usual. If you are using baby formula, prepare using bottled or cooled, boiled water. Wash and sterilise bottles and teats by boiling or microwaving.

What about my pets?
Pets can usually drink untreated water.


UPDATE: 10pm 28/2/18

Boil Water in Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach until further notice

- Water mains have been super chlorinated and flushed – residual recorded above 2ppm
- Lab sampling commenced – first samples on way to lab (taken from various locations including houses) – will continue for min three days or until all clear
- All properties have been visited – those who were home – water flushed – advised to boil water
- Properties not occupied have been recorded – tobies are off – boil water advisory notice left including process to follow to get water back on
- Crews will be going back out tomorrow morning to door knock all houses again with a public health advisory (in conjunction with advice from RPH) and check in with the customer
- Crews will also be attempting to flush those properties that were not occupiedLATEST UPDATE: 6pm

UPDATE: 6pm

URGENT Boil Water in Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach until further notice

- Repairs have been made to the wastewater and the drinking water mains.
- Wastewater system is functioning – i.e. people can flush toilets.
- We are disinfecting the drinking water main, and we anticipate this to be completed by 8pm tonight.
- We will then work systematically through flushing all properties, from tonight onwards (anticipated to be all completed tonight) – all properties confirmed flush will be recorded
- E-Coli testing will be carried for the next three days (minimum) – commencing tonight
- A Boil Water notice will remain in place for a minimum of three days, or until tests comes back clear.LAST

UPDATE: 4:35pm

28 / Feb / 2018

Wellington Water advises all drinking water in Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach (Pukerua Bay) must not be used until further notice.

Wastewater services have also been affected. Residents should not use or flush their toilets.

As a result of earthworks construction, the drinking water network has potentially been contaminated with water from the wastewater network. This affects about 50 properties on Ocean Parade and Brendan Beach. (See affected properties here: arcg.is... ).

The damaged drinking water and wastewater pipes have been repaired. The pipes will be flushed overnight and tomorrow with Chlorine, to ensure all potential contamination has been flushed out and the pipes disinfected.

This advisory is in effect from 2pm, 28 February 2018 until further notice.

Please do not use water for any purposes until Wellington Water advises that the advisory has been lifted. Wellington Water is arranging a temporary water supply as the water will be off for at least 24 hours while repairs are made.

Once the water is back residents will need to boil their water for three days.

Customers in this area who become or feel unwell are urged to seek advice from your doctor or contact Healthline (0800 611 116).