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Bennydale Water Problems
Media Release
14 March 2007
BENNYDALE WATER PROBLEMS
Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Dell Hood has this morning issued a health warning for the water supplies at the King Country community of Benneydale.
All water for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth must be boiled to be safe, said Dr Hood.
Heavy rain yesterday damaged the filtration process in the Benneydale water treatment plant.
“The source water is muddy from the rain and the filtration process is no longer removing this suspended material. Disease causing bacteria, viruses and protozoa washed off the land will be present in the suspended organic material.”
Dr Hood said chlorine disinfection kills bacteria and viruses, but it is filtration which removes the protozoa (Cryptosporidium and Giardia.)
“Benneydale's water is still chlorinated but the lack of filtration means the water is not safe to drink even with chlorination.”
Boiling for one minute will kill all disease causing organisms.
“After boiling the water may still be unpleasant tasting and appear brown but it could not spread disease.”
Dr Hood said emergency supplies of clean safe water, which tastes pleasant, is being arranged for Benneydale people. Using the town's water for washing laundry, showers and cleaning will not spread disease.
Because the contaminated water will be right throughout the town's reticulation, it will take some time to flush and disinfect the pipelines after the plant is able to produce safe water again, she said.
Bennydale is 36.5kms south east of Te Kuiti.
Dr Hood yesterday lifted a health warning on Te Kuiti’s water but said the ban could be reinstated if ground at the local meat works became unstable.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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