Ashburton District Council has removed the boil water notice in place for the Rakaia supply, effective immediately, and residents can now consume their drinking water as usual.

A boil water notice had been in place as a precaution since Monday 19 April when the Council carried out drinking water infrastructure upgrades in the town.

Due to the nature of the work, which saw the water bore head raised above ground, a precautionary notice was put in place as a safeguard for residents.

Mandatory water testing in the days since has returned clear results, and the Council is now able to officially remove the notice.

Protocol for boil water notices requires three consecutive days of clear water test results before the notice can be removed.

The town’s bore water head was raised above ground in order for the scheme to re-attain a secure bore water status. Following the Havelock North enquiry, there is now a greater emphasis on risk assessment for water supplies.

To receive important, free notifications about Council services in your area of the Ashburton District, including boil water notices, text your postcode to ‘4196’.