Editorial: Finally we can tap safe water

What a relief.

The arduous task of boiling water before using it is now over for Havelock North residents.

On Saturday, the Hastings District Council lifted the boil notice for the town water supply. It had to wait for three consecutive clear water tests before it could do so.

The water from Hastings is now throughout the Havelock North water system.

That means schools and childcare centres will be able to relax their strict water policies which have ensured their charges remain healthy.

Cherry Grove Childcare and Family Centre owner Emma Dawson told Hawke's Bay Today teachers had to supervise handwashing with soap and water. Hands were dried, before a bleach and water solution was used and then hands were dried again.

Imagine doing that for 30 kids multiple times a day.

It also means those having to budget for bottled water will no longer have to.

I heard many mothers exclaim during the crisis that they couldn't believe the family had gone through 10 litres of bottled water, "just like that".

People can now drink from the tap but are being advised to flush pipes through and to run taps for two to three minutes until the water is clear.

While the chlorinated water may not be to people's taste, it is now safe to drink.

Further south in Pahiatua, residents have been boiling water since Friday when E.coli was found in the water.

Two tests have since come back clear but another two consecutive days of clear tests are needed before the boil notice can be lifted.

Mayor Roly Ellis is right: now is not the time to be complacent. It's best to be cautious so the Havelock North situation is not repeated anywhere in the country.