Editorial: Warning too late for many

By the time results came through on Havelock North's drinking water supply on Friday, hundreds of children were already sick.

Most of us never stop to think if the water we're drinking is safe and clean - we just expect it.

Parents with sick children on Friday did the natural thing and got them a glass of water to keep their fluids up.

At that stage, they did not know the water was the problem.

It is the responsibility of the Hastings District Council to ensure this district has safe drinking water.

On Tuesday, the Havelock North supply was clear. Two days later, a presence was detected.

The results did not come through until Friday, when hundreds of children were already sick.

By this time the council and District Health Board were already discussing the rising cases of illness.

The water was chlorinated that afternoon.

Many take issue with the time it took the council to inform the public.

Most people were unaware until that night.

The council should have told the public hours earlier. A warning could have been issued asking people to boil water while they conducted tests.

This could have stopped more people from falling ill.

As of last night, one person had died from a gastro-type illness, possibly linked to the water, and two were critically ill.

At this stage it is still a "mystery" as to how this happened.

The council has said there is no evidence of human or technical failure. Well, what went wrong, then?

The council has apologised (see page 7) for the situation but is that enough? Could it have acted sooner?

A full investigation must now be held as to how this has happened.

If negligence is found, those responsible need to be held accountable.