River and estuary water contamination

September 13, 2010, 4:30pm
CANTERBURY CIVIL DEFENCE
MEDIA STATEMENT - River and estuary water contamination

The current emergency situation has led to the city’s waterways becoming contaminated with sewerage and wastewater overflows.

Due to ongoing infrastructure damage and the time taken to identify damage and instigate repairs, contact and use of the Avon, Heathcote, Halswell and Styx rivers, the estuary, and the tidal reaches of the Kaiapoi River should be avoided until further notice.

The public are advised:

• Do not drink water from the rivers
• Do not collect fish or shellfish from the river or river mouth or estuary; this includes whitebait.
• Do not use the river or estuary for recreational use, including swimming or boating.
• Avoid physical contact with water in these waterways.

The public are advised to avoid contact with any river water and sea water in these areas, due to their likely contamination as a result of the Saturday 4th September earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

ENDS

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