A boil water notice has been issued for residents and businesses in northern suburbs of New Plymouth after a sample tested positive for E. coli.
The New Plymouth District Council said the notice was for all residents and businesses in the Bell Block/The Links. No other areas in the city were affected.
People in the affected area were urged to "boil water before using it for drinking or washing teeth until further notice".
The notice was issued after a water sample near New Plymouth Airport tested positive for E. coli.
New Plymouth District Council manager, three waters, Amy Quattlebaum, said the notice was a "precautionary approach until further testing confirms whether there is contamination".
She said it was a "standard public health measure" taken in consultation with Taumata Arowai, the city's water regulator
“In the meantime, it’s important that people in the area of Bell Block and The Links boil the water they intend to use for drinking, brushing their teeth, washing dishes and preparing food. It’s OK to boil up a batch of water and store it until it’s needed.
"Coffee machines do not heat water to a high enough temperature to kill E. coli, so the Council recommends they are not used until the boil water notice is lifted."
The advice would remain in place "until further notice", with updates being posted on the District Council website.
A water tanker will be at Hickford Park car park from this afternoon, available 24/7.
Multiple Auckland suburbs were placed under a similar notice earlier this week, also following a positive E. coli test. That notice was in place for two days, until it was revealed that the positive test had been caused by a single water quality monitoring tap.
E. coli is a bacterium ingested through water, food, and contact with animal faeces. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
It can be particularly dangerous for the young, older people, and those who are immunocompromised.
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