What to do when a Boil Water notice is in place:
Boil Water Notices are put in place when water may be unsafe to drink unless it is boiled first. These notices can happen due to contamination risks, equipment issues, or problems within the water supply system.
Boil water before:
- Drinking
- Preparing food
- Cooking
- Making up infant formula
- Brushing teeth
- Making ice
Bringing water to the boil is sufficient to kill all bugs (water does not require prolonged boiling). Even if water smells or tastes like chlorine, it must still be boiled.
To make the water safe by boiling:
- Boil the water in an electric jug until the jugs turns off automatically
- Or bring the water to a rolling boil (where bubbles appear in the centre and do not disappear when the water is stirred) for one minute
- Store cooled water in a clean container with a lid
- Boiled water is best used within 24 hours and can be boiled again to be sure it is safe. This is especially important for preparing infant formula.
To make the water safe with bleach:
If you cannot boil water, add 5 drops of plain unscented bleach to 1 litre of water, or ½ teaspoon of household bleach (plain unscented) per 10 litres of water, stir and leave to stand for 30 minutes. The time delay allows the bleach a chance to kill the bugs.
Some bleach products contain additives could make you sick. Do not use bleach that contains:
- cleaning chemicals (surfactants), which make the water foam or bubble when it is shaken or mixed
- added scent or perfume
- any other additives.
For more information visit Taumata Arowai.
You will need to continue to boil your water until you are notified that the Boil Water Notice has been lifted. It is likely to be in place for several days. If you or your family show any symptoms of sickness, please visit your doctor as soon as you can.
Selwyn Water will continue to test the water supply and keep residents informed of any updates.