COUNCIL RESPONDS
Over the last week the Hawera water supply experienced some taste and odour issues, which is not unusual for this time of year. However, during this time the supply met, and continues to meet, all public health drinking water standards and is safe to drink.
While relatively short in duration, the earthy taste (and in some cases, odour) is mostly due to a combination of the warmer temperatures, greater sunlight hours and lack of rainfall. Hawera’s water is drawn from the Kapuni Stream, which is relatively shallow. When the river’s water temperature rises, algal and organic growth increase and produce compounds (which are not harmful to public health) that leave a distinctive earthy taste and odour in the natural water.
Currently, our treatment process does not remove these compounds. Adding a process to remove these taste and odour compounds, which only arise for short periods during summer, would be extremely costly and is not needed to comply with national Drinking Water Standards. However, if this is something enough residents felt strongly about and were prepared to pay for, it’s an option Council would consider.
A good way of reducing any earthy taste/odour is to chill the water in your fridge or using a filter jug available from most hardware stores.
Brent Manning, group manager Engineering Services
STDC
NEIGHBOURLY.CO.NZ
One of the best parts about being a good neighbour is keeping an eye out for the good things others are up to.
We had that firmly in mind when we launched Neighbourly, our social media for neighbours and locals to connect.
It helps neighbours and residents to keep in touch, swap ideas or talk about issues. Now we have launched a new phase for Neighbourly, called notices.co.nz.
It used to be you had to sign up to see what’s happening. But we have made some parts public, so you can see the latest news and events in your town or the neighbouring one by just browsing around.
Maybe you’re looking to move to a new suburb, have a bach in another town or want to check out the place your parents have moved to. It’s easier to find now.
Plus we have launched websites on Neighbourly for all our Fairfax community papers so you can find news from this paper and many others online now.
Heath Sadlier, who developed it all for Neighbourly, said: ‘‘We have big plans including local event listings, more community news, and the history of each neighbourhood.’’
If you’re interested or just want to have a look around, the easiest way is to go to Notices.co.nz and start looking around.
We hope you enjoy, neighbours.
Kath Brown
News director/Communities
WRITE TO US
We welcome letters to the editor, 250 words or less preferred. Published at the sole discretion of the editor and they may be edited. Include your address and phone number (not for publication). Send to Taranaki Star, 96 Collins St, 4610 or PO Box 428, Hawera or email to star@dailynews.co.nz. Deadline: Fridays 4pm.