Council subsidises residents to test water tanks

More Beachlands residents are set to get their water tanks tested for the bacteria that cause legionnaires' disease after a cash boost from the Manukau City Council.

Public health and council officials have discussed Mayor Sir Barry Curtis' offer to fund 20 per cent of testing costs, made during a public meeting on Monday night.

Sir Barry said details of the testing regime will be confirmed at a council meeting tomorrow.

The $48,000 offer would enable the Auckland Regional Public Health Service to offer its tests to more of the 1000 households in the East Auckland community, which does not have reticulated water.

The disease has killed an 80-year-old-man and infected his 40-year-old male neighbour and has health officials monitoring three others. One was a visitor and is now in Melbourne. Locals said she had come over to attend the dead man's funeral.

Three of five water supplies used by people affected have tested positive for legionella. The results of another four are up to a fortnight away. Testing took place only in a localised cluster in Karaka Rd, in the southwestern area of Beachlands.

Sir Barry said the council had also offered an extra $2000 to pay for filling a cleaned tank. The ratepayer, however, would have to pay for the cost of cleaning and cartage, he said.

A leaflet drop on tank cleaning and maintenance was also being planned.

"We're treating this matter as serious. We certainly don't want to panic the community, but there is an important role for [us] to come to terms with this."

He said reticulated water to Beachlands would be "a backstop of last resort", if more cases cropped up.

Karaka Rd resident Dave Michell believed building activity at subdivisions down the road was responsible for spreading legionella. A hot, dry summer meant a lot of dust was thrown up into the air and into people's tanks, he said.

But Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Dr Craig Thornley said there was no evidence to support that theory. Legionella bacteria had never been cultured from dry dust, he said. A possible source was a water blaster at the local marina, where the bacteria were found.

Mr Michell has lived on tank water for 26 years, and has not taken any special precautions since the outbreak. He cleaned his tank last November after 15 years, but said he would now clean and disinfect it annually.

Pensioners Fred and Una Breach believed the situation would be used to push for reticulated water.

Mrs Breach said they were not able to afford to have the tanks cleaned every six to 12 months, as advised by health officials.