100 Springston residents affected by E.coli contamination

Through our work with Malvern Hills Protection Society, we were advised yesterday afternoon of a notice from Selwyn District Council alerting 100 Springston households to boil their water owing to an E. coli contamination. The notice was sent to residents last Friday.

Our understanding is that the Springston problem has been ongoing for some two years, and although the Selwyn District Council are committed to providing a safe water supply, this latest incident has outraged residents with claims of a "third world living standard".

We also understand earlier endeavours by the Council to improve the water quality through chlorination, resulted with some residents being forced to buy bottled water after experiencing skin irritations or objecting to a strong taste of chlorine.

Clearly this matter is of much interest to Malvern Hills Protection Society who lobbied the Canterbury District Health Board to undertake the recently released - Health Impact Assessment in respect of the CPW scheme. One of the Society's concerns - potential adverse effects on drinking water quality as a result of increased dairying on the Canterbury Plains.

A public meeting to discuss the Springston contamination is being held:

Thursday 13 March
7.30pm
Errol Tweedy Pavilion
Springston Reserve/Domain
Ellesmere Junction Rd

(Copy of the meeting notice below)

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Please find following notice of our public meeting on Thursday:

PUBLIC MEETING - THURSDAY 13 MARCH, 7.30 P.M.,

ERROL TWEEDY PAVILION,

SPRINGSTON RESERVE/DOMAIN

ELLESMERE JUNCTION ROAD.

"Devils in the water!"

A public meeting to discuss the current contamination problems with the Springston water supply and the 'need to boil water'. The meeting is open

to all residents - Come and have your say! Ward Councillors and Selwyn District Council staff have been invited.

Rupert Tipples,

Chairman,

Springston Community Committee.

9 March 2008

ENDS

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