Ashburton District Council has arranged alternative safe drinking water supplies at Methven and Mt Somers while temporary boil water notices are in place on the community schemes following last weekend’s rain.

A water tank is on the village green at Mt Somers and an ACL water tanker and smaller tank is stationed at Methven, near the Methven Medical Centre. Smaller portable tanks have also been set up at Methven schools, pre-schools and Methven House.

Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann said the tanker at Methven was mobile and continuously topping the portable tanks up.

“People can go to the main street site with their clean containers and fill up at any time. These alternative water sources will be operational in Methven and Mt Somers until Council gives the all clear.”

Monitoring equipment at the Mt Somers and the Methven water treatment facilities detected high levels of turbidity during the weekend’s heavy rain. Although the treatment equipment is working correctly, it is less effective during periods of high turbidity.

The boil water notices were issued as a precaution.

People connected to the schemes were advised to boil their drinking water, and water used in food preparation and for hygiene purposes, for at least three minutes before consumption.

Mr McCann said water in the tankers did not need to be boiled and was safe for use. The tanker would stay as long as it was needed.

“We are continuously monitoring water coming through the treatment plants and will lift the boil water notices as soon as we can.”