Water tanker available at Te Wharekura o Rūātoki

Chris Rawson from Whakatāne District Council

The Whakatāne District Council advises that a water tanker will be available at Te Wharekura o Rūātoki for at least the next three days, to provide clear drinking water for collection by community members. Rūātoki’s water supply is currently affected by turbidity (cloudiness) due to the flood conditions in the river. The bores have also been affected by significant erosion of the riverbank, and work will be carried out today to try and reinstate and stabilise the area concerned.

At this stage the bores are operating, and the required volume of water is being treated and pumped to the reservoir serving the area. Daily testing has confirmed no contamination, so the water is safe for all uses. The Council is working to find a long-term solution to the ongoing turbidity problems affecting the Rūātoki water supply.

The water tanker will be available at the Kura today from 10:30 till 5 pm and will also be available between 12:30 pm and 5 pm tomorrow (Thursday). Friday hours will be advised tomorrow.