MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1981
PUBLIC ADVISED TO BOIL DRINKING WATER
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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY ADVISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, TO BOIL ALL DRINKING WATER PARTICULARLY WATER STORED IN CONTAINERS SUCH AS TANKS, BUCKETS OR BINS, DURING THE PERIOD OF WATER RESTRICTIONS.
THE ADVICE COMES THREE DAYS BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF WATER RESTRICTIONS, REDUCING THE DAILY SUPPLY TO 16 HOURS.
MR TUCKER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WOULD BE TAKING EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THE PURITY OF THE SUPPLY, SUCH AS INCREASING CHLORINATION AND INTENSIFYING THE MONITORING OF QUALITY AT SERVICE RESERVOIRS AND CONSUMERS TAPS, THERE WAS ALWAYS A SLIGHT RISK OF CONTAMINATION ENTERING THE WATER PIPES AT TIMES WHEN THE SUPPLY WAS TURNED OFF.
+HOWEVER, HE STRESSED, +A GENERAL DETERIORATION IN THE PRESENT HIGH STANDARD OF BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY IS NOT EXPECTED.+
MR TUCKER SAID EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT RECEPTACLES USED TO STORE WATER FOR DRINKING ARE CLEAN AND KEPT COVERED.
+NORMAL HOUSEHOLD PLASTIC-WARE IS QUITE SAFE AND SATISFACTORY FOR SUCH USE, BUT ANY INTERNALLY PAINTED CONTAINERS SHOULD BE AVOIDED.+
DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE RESTRICTIONS HE POINTED OUT. TAP WATER MIGHT, AT PARTICULAR TIMES, BE SOMEWHAT DISCOLOURED AND COULD CONTAIN SOME SEDIMENTS.
+UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS UNAVOIDABLE AND IS DUE TO THE DISTURBANCE OF RUSTY DEPOSITS IN THE MAINS. HOWEVER, THE DISCOLOURATION IS QUITE HARMLESS TO HEALTH,+ MR TUCKER SAID.
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