As part of the Havelock North water inquiry hearings conducted in June and August, the panel considered the ongoing safety of Havelock North's water supply and the measures taken by the Hastings District Council.
In its Stage 2 findings released yesterday, the panel said it was satisfied that the current supply of drinking water from Brookvale Rd bore 3 was being treated to a level such that the water entering the Havelock North reticulation should be free of harmful pathogens.
"This groundwater source is now being treated to a standard higher than needed for surface waters in New Zealand and, provided that the treatment plant is monitored and operated correctly, the Havelock North community should have no cause for concern about the quality of drinking water entering the reticulation system from this bore," the panel's report said.
While water test results had not shown any presence of E.coli since the bore was reactivated, total coliforms have been detected on several occasions, indicating that there was infiltration of surface water into the aquifer and that treatment was required.
The report also noted that the council now had an approved water safety plan, which included an Emergency Response Plan, pre-drafted boil water notices and other draft communications.