There is no word yet on when Waikouaiti tap water will be declared safe to drink. Officials had been working closely with Public Health South and all parties needed to be confident the drinking water supply was safe before the notice could be lifted, he said. Cast-iron water pipes with lead joins were replaced by polyethylene. Water testing in recent months has shown tiny amounts of lead at levels considered safe or the heavy metal had been undetectable. Blood testing of residents did not show they had suffered from chronic long-term exposure to lead through the water supply.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 06, 2021 15:33 UTC