Boil water notices

The best way to treat tap water is by boiling it in an electric kettle. The kettle only needs to be boiled once. It can then be cooled before drinking.

Yes. Most household water filtration devices are not designed to remove bacteria and viruses. Please replace your filter cartridge once the boil water notice is lifted.

The likelihood of you becoming ill is low. However, if you experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps, you should seek medical attention.

Everyone is at risk but some people are more sensitive than others. Therefore, everyone needs to boil their water.

You can use the tap water and soap to wash your hands for basic personal hygiene. If you are washing your hands to prepare food, you should use soap and boiled (then cooled) water or bottled water. Make sure you dry your hands thoroughly after washing. This is a key step to avoid illness.

Yes. Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving and washing as long as you do not swallow it or get it in your eyes, nose or mouth.

Children and people with disabilities should be supervised to make sure they do not swallow any unsafe water. People with wounds or weak immune systems may want to use boiled (then cooled) or bottled water for bathing until the boil water notice is lifted.

Yes, you can continue to use it. Use the hot setting. After finishing the cycle, soak the dishes for one minute in a solution of bleach (1 dessert spoon) and water (fill the sink). Let the dishes air dry.

You could use water that has been boiled for washing dishes but do not dilute it with unsafe water to achieve a comfortable temperature. Alternatively, after washing the dishes, soak them for one minute in a solution of bleach (1 dessert spoon) and water (fill the sink). Let the dishes air dry.

No, continue doing laundry the way you usually do.

Yes. This is a good idea because many pets, like dogs and cats, can get some of the same diseases as humans and can pass these diseases on to their owners.

Please carry out the steps that apply to your household:

• If you have a hot water cylinder, turn on one hot water tap and let it run until the water is cold. This will drain the cylinder and it will refill with safe water.
• After you have drained your hot water cylinder, turn on all your cold water taps and run them for a few minutes.
• Replace filter cartridges on taps and in water containers.
• Flush, clean and sanitise water lines on equipment such as coffee and ice machines.

There’s further information available on Taumata Arowai’s website. It’s the water service authority for New Zealand.