Woodville residents are being warned to boil their tap water Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Woodville residents are being warned to boil their tap water after rodent faeces were found on the rafters of a reservoir in the lower North Island town.
Tararua District District said it was the "first occurrence of animal entry" into the Woodville Water East Treated Reservoir.
"Routine sampling is ongoing and no contaminants such as E-coli have been detected in the water network," a spokesperson said.
"We are issuing the boil water notice until further investigation and testing is completed."
The council had:
- Immediately increased water testing
- Initiated an investigation into identifying "ingress points"
- Was using an underwater drone to do an underwater scan.
"A letter drop will be conducted today and regular updates on this will be provided through the Council information channels."
Until notified, Woodville residents were advised to boil water before using it for drinks, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth and preparing baby formula.
Earlier this month it was reported an employee at Tararua District Council had received a written warning from the Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai, after failing to report a dead possum in the drinking water at Woodville.
It followed an investigation into the council's response to the third dead possum found in the Woodville West supply in April 2024.
