Christchurch City Councillors have made the right decision today to chlorinate the city’s water supply.

Water New Zealand Technical Manager Noel Roberts says chlorination is the most cost-effective means of minimising the risk of public illness as a result of water contamination and should be seen as the last barrier of protection.

However he says that it is concerning that the councillors have also decided to oppose any Government move to impose permanent chlorination.

“Chlorination is an effective barrier against contamination because it protects the entire drinking water network.

“If Christchurch councillors want to avoid chlorination they need to ensure that the water is safe for drinking and this inevitably means some form of treatment or alternatively a very costly engineering, maintenance and monitoring programme across the entire network.

“This has yet to be determined with the review of the Drinking Water Standards.”

The Government Inquiry into the Havelock North drinking water contamination has recommended the removal of the secure bore status from the Drinking Water Standards along with the introduction of mandatory water treatment.

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