Town water supply back to normal

Six dead mice are to blame for contaminating Puta¯ruru’s water supply.

The South Waikato District Council lifted its boil water notice for the South Waikato town on Monday, 11 days after receiving results for a water sample showing a count of 7 E coli per 100ml of water.

The sample was taken on Thursday, April 19 from the Pinedale No 1 reservoir, which was supplied from the Blue Spring.

South Waikato District Council communications officer Sina Tolovae said the Puta¯ ruru water supply was now safe to use again without boiling.

‘‘The mice had entered through a small hole four to six metres off the ground,’’ she said.

‘‘[They were there] probably only a few days because the Monday test was totally clear and the dead mice were in good condition with limited decay.

‘‘It was only possible to see them after the reservoir was emptied as part of the investigation process into the E coli result,’’ she said.

Tolovae said despite trying to vermin proof the tank, the mice had still managed to find a way in.

‘‘The reservoir has vertical timber slats held in place by a tensioned steel ‘‘rope’’ around the tank. Inside is a rubber liner which stops the water leaking out. On top we have a roof like a cone to stop stuff getting into the top of the reservoir and around the tank is aluminium sheeting that stops vermin from climbing up it’’.