A large proportion of the mains water supply has been restored to Kaikoura township, but it is still in a fragile state and may be intermittent for some time, says Civil Defence Controller John Mackie.

“There is a limited supply at the reservoir, so we’re still asking people to conserve water and make sure the valve to their toilets is turned off,” he says. “And if there is a leak anywhere, please turn the water off at the street and get a plumber in.”

Mr Mackie says he wants to emphasise: Nobody should flush their toilet, even if they have water on, because the sewage system has been severely damaged. If anyone uses their toilet, the system won’t be able to cope and we run the risk of it spilling into the sea.

“Water to individual homes is gradually being turned back on but people need to make sure they still boil the water before drinking, preparing food, or brushing their teeth. We also need people to limit their use of water to short showers and essentials. The reservoir is running low so we need to conserve what we have,” Mr Mackie says.

“Two-litre bottles of bleach for disinfecting water are being made available to households. People need to add 5 drops of bleach per litre of water. There are also three water stations - outside iSite, at New World supermarket and at South Bay - with household water supplies. Disinfectant is also being distributed to households and adding 5 drops a litre of water will make the water suitable for drinking. Please remember all water must be boiled, no matter where it has come from.”

Mayor Winston Gray says getting water back

What you need to know: 19 November, 2016

Government Relief
• Households are being delivered information today about how to access government assistance. The Prime Minister has also announced a relief package for businesses – more information will be available tomorrow.
• Government agencies including the Earthquake Commission (EQC) are setting up office in Kaikoura. today at the local primary school for those seeking more information.
• Impacts on fisheries are also going to be studied because that has a flow-on effect on our community.

Free Doctor Visits:
• Kaikoura Health Te Ha o Te Ora is fully staffed with a team of GPs and nurses and is offering free healthcare.
• Kaikoura medical centre GP Dr Andrea Judd, said they would prefer to see people sooner, rather than later.
• People need to make an appointment by phoning the nurse on (03) 319 3500 – you can call 24/7. *The nurse who answers your call will be able to arrange your appointment and can also provide free health advice.
• Anyone with gastro symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, should stay home and phone their own GP team or the nurse at Kaikoura Health for advice. If you have norovirus, a particularly contagious gastro bug, it’s easily spread from person to person, so it’s important to isolate yourself as much as possible – and definitely keep out of the kitchen.
• Note: people in other areas of North Canterbury (outside Kaikoura) who need to see their general practice team for quake-related appointments will pay reduced ‘quake rates’ to see their GP or nurse."
Further public health information is available on the Canterbury DHB website.

Roading:
• We don’t have a date for reopening the Inland road to private vehicle because of the extra damage caused by the landslide yesterday. We will be providing information about how to register for convoys and where to assemble once we have a clear idea about when the road will be open to private vehicles.
• Because of the extent of the damage on SH1 North to Blenheim, it may be months before that route is open again. SH1 South to Conway may be open in several weeks. Assessments are continuing.
• Bridges that remain closed are:
• Clarence Valley
• Scotts Rd
• Mawthorne Rd
• 30km/hr limit on all other bridges
Fuel
• Fuel cannot be brought in on the HMNZS Canterbury due to hazard risks. The remaining fuel is reserved for emergency vehicles only, and those with acute medical needs. If you have acute medical needs you can apply at the Council office for authorisation to buy fuel.
• As businesses start to reopen, staff are encouraged to carpool wherever possible to conserve fuel.

Power:
• There are approximately 340 residential or business premises yet to have power restored. There is extensive damage to the network. No estimate yet on when power will be restored to all areas but we have asked them for information to include in these updates from now on.
Building Inspections
• 384 buildings have been inspected; 22 have been red stickered; 57 yellow; and the rest white.
• Today, 10 building inspectors and 5 engineers plus geotech engineers will be carrying out further inspections. This will include inspections in outlying areas where damage is likely to be more significant.
• If your home has been inspected and you have questions about the information on the assessment (red, yellow or white sticker) a building inspector will be in the reception area of the Council building to assist you.
• If you’re waiting to have a building inspected, please leave contact details on the building so we can get in touch.
• Police are working their way around homes in the outlying areas to check on families, delivering supplies and carrying out rapid property assessments.
• People are being asked to check their fireplaces and chimneys before they use them.
Business updates:
• Businesses in buildings that have been inspected and given white stickers have been cleared to open as soon as security fencing has been erected around the red stickered buildings.
• Westpac bank is open to customers of all banks
• New World supermarket: 8am – 5pm.
• The pharmacy is opening from 12.30pm today, serving people from the street outside the shop.
• NZ Defence Force is able to bring supplies for business in from Christchurch. This can be arranged through reception at the district council

Community Meetings & Church Service
• There will be an interdenominational church service on Sunday 10am at Churchill Park. The forecast is for fine weather - everyone is welcome, locals, voluntary personnel and remaining visitors.
• Community meeting will be held today, 1pm at the Memorial Hall. Notices are also updated at 12 key locations around the town. The new locations are: I-site, Hospital entrance, Takahanga Terrace power pole, Marae entrance, Night and Day store on Beach Road, New World supermarket entrance, Police station entrance, Cemetery entry gate, Westpac bank, South Bay Rd intersection (SH1 picket sign).
• From tomorrow, community meetings will return to Churchill Park, 1pm
• There will be a public meeting in Hapuku this afternoon at 4pm at the local school. The Mayor and civil defence staff will be on site.
• Local radio stations are returning to the airwaves and are broadcasting community messages about the response and recovery. This includes Radio Live, broadcasting on 89.1FM, 89.9 and 97.1FM
• Reception downstairs at the district council will be open daily from 7am - 6pm
Evacuations
• The offer to evacuate with the military is still open today only. Register at the marae as soon as possible. You must have accommodation and transport organised at the other end – you’re also responsible for your own return to Kaikoura at your own expense. Neither the Military, Kaikoura Civil Defence Emergency Management Centre nor the Kaikoura District Council are responsible for your welfare while you’re away from the district.

High School
• This message is from Principal John Tait. Engineers have inspected the school. There is limited access to most parts of the school. There is power but no water. The playing fields are being used as the operations centre for the military airlift and are off-limits to the community. We expect to get temporary toilets delivered next week sometime. Without sewerage and water we cannot open for normal school. We are planning to be open some time next week for seniors who are sitting exams. Students who wish to sit the exams have the opportunity to do so but will also have access to emergency derived grades. Families can see more information on the school Facebook page and we recommend checking it regularly.
Water and Sewerage
• The first consignments of chemical toilets arrived on the Canterbury yesterday and will be progressively delivered to all households in Kaikoura township along with instructions. Where there is no-one home, we are leaving a letter telling residents how they can arrange to collect their chemical toilet or have it delivered. The elderly are being prioritised to receive the first toilets.
• The discharge tanks for these aren't in place yet but all chemical toilets have a week's capacity. Discharge tanks will be in place within the week.
• Water is being restored progressively. If you discover a leak on your property call a plumber immediately.
• If your neighbours have water but you don't check the connection at the street to your property
• More portaloos are also being delivered for streets and public places a map will be placed on the kaikoura district council website
• It is important that everyone uses portaloos or chemical toilets and not their own home toilets because of the damage to the sewerage system.
• Residents in rural areas whose septic tanks are damaged are advised to dig a latrine at present.
• Water stations outside the iSite, at New World Supermarket and at South Bay. More will be available and you will be advised timing depends on the next arrival of HMNZS Canterbury.
• Please remember that ALL DRINKING WATER FROM TAPS MUST BE BOILED, NO MATTER WHERE IT HAS COME FROM. This includes water used for food preparation (washing and peeling vegetables or fruit) and also for cleaning your teeth.

Health:
• Be careful about personal hygiene to avoid the risk of an outbreak of gastroenteritis illnesses – they are highly infectious.
• BOIL ALL DRINKING WATER FROM TAPS, NO MATTER WHERE IT HAS COME FROM. This includes water used for food preparation (washing and peeling vegetables or fruit) and also for cleaning your teeth.
• Wash or sanitise your hands often. If you have no water, use hand sanitiser regularly
• Anyone requiring a repeat prescription can get an emergency repeat at the pharmacist. The pharmacy is now open for prescriptions.
• If you have water, be sure to use soap.
• Do not take any shellfish it is likely to be contaminated.

Hapuku Dam
• Hapuku Dam is being closely monitored by both GNS Science and ECan, using the helicopters made available by the military. It is one of many landslip dams that have formed since the earthquake. There is no concern that the dam will be overtopped at this stage or about the stability of the material.

Emergency Services:
• The 111 service is operating as normal for emergency. If you call for fire, ambulance or police you will get a response
• A total fire ban is in place for the Kaikoura District
• Residents are being advised to ensure fireplaces and chimneys are safe to use before lighting . If in doubt contact the local fire station.

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