Chlorine-free water available for Hastings

After months of chlorinated water, Hastings residents will have the option to enjoy water free from the chemical.

Installed by the Hastings District Council, chlorine-free water is now available from the public tap in front of the Hastings Library.

The suburb's water has been chlorinated since August, following the gastro outbreak which saw more than 5000 people fall ill.

The tap offers water which has been through the water testing process and chlorinated, however this has been removed by filters at the tap.

Two more will be available next week; one in Havelock North at Romanes Park on Monday and at the Flaxmere library car park later next week.

In other water news, the work on commissioning Brookvale Bore 3 which will supply water into the town supply is progressing well.

It is in the testing phase and once all the commissioning work and compliance requirements are fulfilled the bore will start contributing to the water supply.

That is expected to be within seven to 10 days, subject to approvals.

As has been the practice since the water contamination in August, the water supply is tested on a daily basis, which will continue.

Hastings District Council asset manager Craig Thew said when the bore was fully operational, the council would revisit the level of water restrictions currently in place.

"But, as in every other summer season, we are required to encourage residents to conserve water during due dry periods," he said. "It is a condition of our resource consents, issued by Hawke's Bay Regional Council."

The five-minute parks in front of the Hastings Library tap are being moved around the corner into Warren St, due to the moving of the Eastbourne St bus stops.