Raetihi Diesel Spill - #7

Emergency Water Supplies Safe

Tests of emergency water supplies being delivered to Raetihi in tankers show that the water is free of e.coli and meets the highest water quality health standards for human consumption.

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Senior Environmental Health Officer, Mohammed Ishrar, said that the emergency water supplies are undergoing continuous testing.

“Although there may be some turbidity in the water such as the cloudiness or suspended particles from sediment the water is completely safe to drink,” he said.

“The tanker water is actually treated to a higher standard than the commercial spring water being delivered around town.”

“Because the tanker water comes out of high pressure hydrants any sediment in the system gets stirred up.”

Mr Ishrar noted that people filling containers from the tanker or water pods around town should ensure that the containers they are using are sterile.

“People have been filling anything that will hold water.”

“If it’s just for refilling their cistern for flushing the toilet it’s fine, however, if it’s for drinking they are taking an unnecessary health risk,” he said.

“The 15 litre water containers that sit in bench top cradles are refillable on a swappa-container basis.”

“As part of the re-filling process the handle, cap and outlet are all sterilized with boiling water.”

Mr Ishrar added that people should plan their water usage to make sure that they don’t run out afterhours.

“Anyone wanting to have their bench top water container changed needs to call Council on 06 385 4447 or look out for the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts water delivery vehicle driving around town.”

“For the larger tanks people need to call Council and request a delivery.”
ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell:
On What John Banks And Nick Smith Have In Common

The defence that John Banks has been offering to the charges of electoral fraud – that he didn’t read the document he signed, and therefore lacked the necessary criminal intent – is a fairly standard example of political business as usual.

At a time when political power is being centralised downtown in the Executive, responsibility is being re-located to the suburbs. The Beehive seeks to operate as a blame free, shame free environment. At all times, plausible deniability is to be maintained.

Being able to put distance between the Minister and the actions/outcomes/political fallout of policy is not simply the last desperate resort of scoundrels, but the first resort of the foot soldiers in ministerial service... More>>