Council hands out water jugs
An entire town is being given free water filter jugs at a cost of up to $20,000 because their supply has an unpleasant taste – although it’s fine to drink.
Eltham residents have noticed a strong earthy flavour and smell in the water over the past couple of weeks, and although the South Taranaki District Council knows the cause, not much can be done about it.
Jugs which filter out taste and smell-impairing substances will be handed out to residents at the Eltham Library from tomorrow.
Fiona Greenhill, community and infrastructure services group manager, said the problem was due to organic compounds in the Waingongoro Stream where the water is sourced. The stream runs through mountain bush and farm land.
The problem was more noticeable in summer.
‘‘It seems to be worse this year and we aren’t really sure why that is,’’ she said.
‘‘The taste is not harmful, the water is treated, it’s safe to drink and meets the Government’s water standards, but it doesn’t taste particularly nice.’’
Supplying the filter jugs, which retail for between $32 and $36, was the easiest way to improve the situation for the residents until the weather cooled and there was more rain.
The likely cost of providing the jugs would be $10,000 to $20,000.
The council was investigating a more permanent solution but removing the compounds from the water was expensive and complicated, she said.
STDC Eltham Ward councillor Mark Bellringer said a lot of people in the community had been talking about the bad-tasting water, and the filter jugs would make a big difference.
‘‘That’s great. It’s a really good outcome.’’
On the Eltham Grapevine and Sharing Group, on Facebook, residents were pleased about the offer of filter jugs.
‘‘I’ve lived in Eltham for the last 12 years and it’s been here since then, from a little smell to ‘I can’t drink that’, and as for the taste, the same. Even coffee doesn’t hide it,’’ Dalys Jacobsen commented.