Havelock Residents Welcome End Of Boil Water Notice

Thursday, 2 October 2025, 5:36 pm
Article: Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter

The residents and businesses of Havelock are welcoming the lifting of the town’s boil water notice just in time for the busy summer season. 

The boil water notice was issued on July 16 after updated guidance from Taumata Arowai, and the council said at the time it would likely last until a new $14 million treatment plant opened in 2028. 

The prospect of a three-year boil water notice came as a shock to Havelock residents, who set about looking for alternatives, until the council announced on July 25 it would install a temporary UV treatment plant for the town. 

On Thursday morning, the Marlborough District Council announced that the boil water notice had been lifted, as the temporary ultraviolet treatment plant had been installed, adding another barrier against protozoa, a microbe that could make people sick. 

Havelock Holiday Park manager Tony Morgan said guests had been pretty relaxed about the notice, but he was glad it was over in time for summer. 

“It's a good feeling,” Morgan said. 

The team had put up signs informing the campers that the notice was in place. 

“We've taken all the signs down and it just relieves that pressure on the guests.” 

Paddy Sinclair, who managed the cafe Ray’s Place, said she was glad to take all her “boil stuff” off the kitchen bench. 

“Now I’m just cooking as normal,” Sinclair said. 

“It was just frustrating, having to boil everything, and it’s a great thing going into the summer. 

“Now we can actually supply drinkable water for our customers to have.” 

Council chief executive John Boswell said the council’s engineers and contractors had worked quickly and diligently to get the plant running. 

“This is an excellent result and in good time for the busy visitor season,” Boswell said. 

“Both the installation and commissioning process went very smoothly.” 

They had built a 1.7m tall platform, next to the existing water treatment plant, to protect it from flooding. 

The power connection was upgraded with a large transformer installed by Marlborough Lines. 

“I’d like to thank our engineers and contractors for a job well done and a very successful outcome,” Boswell said. 

The $750,000 temporary plant would be in place until the new water treatment plant was completed in 2028. 

The council said it could reuse some of the parts in the new plant. 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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