Council forced to chlorinate Reefton’s water supply

The chlorination of the Reeftonwater supply is a done deal. The Buller District Council resolved on Wednesday to begin regular dosing of the reservoirs with the chemical, and to treat the water via a chlorination plant once the pipework is upgraded next year. Mayor Jamie Cleine used his casting vote to pass the resolutions. ‘‘We had about a dozen Reefton people there, and we certainly heard they’re against chlorination but the council really has no choice – we’ve had legal advice that we must have a safe compliant system,’’ Cleine said yesterday. Preventive dosing of the Reefton reservoir had already begun.