Water contamination puts town in shock

NEW ZEALAND – A contaminated water supply is being blamed for a mass outbreak of gastroenteritis that has closed all the schools in a New Zealand town.

Campylobacter was identified as the contaminant responsible for the spate of illness in Havelock North in the Hastings district.

The local public health unit reported having hundreds of people presenting themselves to doctors, and two being admitted to intensive care in a critical condition.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the water supply had been contaminated and apologised for failing to supply safe, reliable water.

“Councillors and staff are devastated that hundreds of families in our community have been struck by this debilitating illness,” Yule said. “While the cause remains unknown, there is clear evidence that the Havelock drinking water bores have been contaminated resulting in widespread sickness.

“At this stage in our investigations there is no evidence of human or technical failure.”

The council said carbon testing showed water from the local aquifer was 50 years old and free from contaminants.

Council decided on Friday last week to chlorinate the water supply and residents were urged to boil their tap water as a precaution.

“Chlorination of the water supply will continue indefinitely, and we are undertaking a major investigation of the cause of the contamination to help us ensure this cannot happen again,” Yule said.

- ABC