Boil water notice for Gordonton and Puketaha after single E. coli test result

A boil water notice has been issued for residents in Gordonton and Puketaha that are connected to Hamilton City Council’s water supply network.

Hamilton City Council has issued the notice for the Rototuna water supply area after a single confirmed test result today (Saturday 4 October) showed the presence of E. coli in a water sample from the Rototuna reservoir.

Only Waikato district residents supplied by the Greenhill bulk supply point, being Gordonton and Puketaha are impacted by this this event.

These residents are on the on-demand supply and the rural trickle feed supply network and will be required to boil water for as long as this notice is in effect.

Until notified, Gordonton and Puketaha residents are advised to boil water before using it for:

• drinking (including making of sachet juice/drinks);
• making ice;
• food preparation;
• brushing teeth; and
• preparing infant/toddler formula.

Hamilton City Council’s Unit Director Three Waters, Maire Porter, said the result showed up in the standard testing regime for the reservoir, and Council immediately started additional testing and investigation.

“Although this is a single test, we take any adverse result extremely seriously and have specific response processes we follow. Our initial response is precautionary, and we act quickly so we have a team ready to deal with any issues identified.

“An incident management team has been established, and we will be working closely with Taumata Arowai and the Ministry of Health on next steps.”

Washing hands and good hygiene is important as E. coli can spread from person to person.

This is particularly important around more vulnerable members of the community like infants, the elderly, and people with immuno-compromised conditions.

The boil water notice will be in place until at least Tuesday, as three clear days of testing are required before a notice can be lifted.

**Please see the map above for the boundaries that the boil notice has been issued for**