Boil water advisory issued for Havelock

Marlborough District Council has issued a boil water advisory for residents and businesses using the town water supply in Havelock, following a request from the Water Services Regulator - Taumata Arowai.

“As a precautionary measure, we are issuing a boil water advisory due to the risk of protozoa entering the Havelock supply,” Richard Coningham, Assets and Services Manager said.

He said the advisory was released in response to the requirements in the Water Services Act 2021, which is regulated through the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai.

“The risk of protozoa contamination in Havelock has not changed, it’s just that New Zealand’s requirements on the provision of drinking water are becoming more stringent.”

Information would be shared with residents via a letter drop and through Council’s online and print communications channels. Hospitality businesses would receive a phone call from Council’s Environmental Health team.

“People can boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing food.

“Although chlorine is used in the Havelock supply, it doesn’t protect from the risk - however small - of protozoa getting into the supply.”

Protozoa are single-celled parasites, like cryptosporidium and giardia, that can make people sick. They can be removed from water with filters or inactivated using ultraviolet (UV) light so that they don’t pose a health risk.

“Water supplies in New Zealand require a multi-barrier approach - a range of processes, procedures and tools to protect and treat water,” Mr Coningham said.

“A new $14M water treatment plant is planned for Havelock which will use a multi-barrier approach, including filtration, chlorine and UV. The plant upgrade has been planned for some years and budget is set aside in the Council’s Long Term Plan. However it has been difficult to secure a new site, with few land options available in the town or nearby.”

“Council has now found a site and is planning and designing a new treatment plant, for completion in early 2028. Land purchase negotiations are in the final stages and a new road will also be built to provide access. Tendering for the construction of the plant will follow.”

Further information including frequently asked questions is available at www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/utilities/water-supplies/havelock-water-supplyand also the Taumata Arowai website at www.taumataarowai.govt.nz