Temporary chlorination for Riccarton water
Water in parts of Riccarton and Addington is being temporarily chlorinated.
It comes after regular testing revealed the presence of several total coliforms, an indicator of bacterial contamination.
The indicator bacteria are not harmful, but their presence showed there was a
pathway for other contaminants, such as E coli, to get into the supply.
Christchurch City Council head of three waters Helen Beaumont said the chlorination began on Thursday as a precautionary measure while investigations were done to determine the root cause of the contamination.
“Being able to quickly activate chlorination when there is an actual or potential contamination event is an important part of our water safety toolkit," she said in a statement.
“Ongoing testing will be carried out to help us understand the cause of contamination, and to ensure the chlorine is doing its job. A low level of chlorine will be remain in place while we carry out work to assess any ongoing risk to the water supply."
Beaumont said people in Riccarton and parts of Addington may smell or taste chlorine in their water.
The chlorine was harmless but if residents were concerned about the taste, they could keep drinking water in a jug in the fridge. The chlorine taste would dissipate naturally over a few hours.
Poll: Canterbury is thriving on paper... but are you seeing evidence of Canterbury's improving economy?
As reported in the Press, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman recently gave a shout-out to our region, calling Canterbury a "stand-out" for how we recover from tough times. With tech firms growing and exporters investing, the business side of things is looking bright!
👉 But we know that "business growth" doesn't always mean the weekly shop gets any cheaper. While the city expands, many families feel like they’re just trying to keep their heads above water.
We want to know: With the business buzz of 2026, do you feel like things are finally looking up for your household, or does it still feel like a climb?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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100% In some areas ...
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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