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Update on Banks Peninsula roads
For the latest information on the state of the roads, check this map.
Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality in Te Roto o Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) at Lakeside Domain
Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health unit has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in consecutive samples taken from in Te Roto o Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) at Lakeside Domain.
Dr Ramon Pink Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says “Water quality at the affected site is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens.
“In most cases the ill-health effects from exposure to contaminated water are minor and short-lived. However, there is the potential for more serious health effects from exposure to faecal bacteria,” Dr Pink says.
Eating shellfish from these sites should be avoided. If fish are eaten, remove the gut and liver and wash in clean water before cooking. For further information on gathering Mahinga Kai refer to information below.
Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
The sites where water quality is affected are listed on the Land, Air and Water Aotearoa website.
Monitoring of the site will continue weekly and the public will be advised when the site is safe for recreational use.
Public Health warning for Banks Peninsula
Canterbury DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ramon Pink, says there is a risk to public health following the prolonged heavy rainfall event last week in eastern Banks Peninsula. The majority of water supplies in this area are private and not subject to testing or treatment. This area includes the bays from Port Levy to Flea Bay.
We are aware that a large number of people will be travelling to this area over the coming days and weeks on holiday. Rented baches and holiday homes may not have any treatment or information about water quality.
If you live in the eastern bays of Banks Peninsula, or are visiting this area, do not drink the tap water – boil all water before using it for cooking, cleaning your teeth or for drinking. Or use bottled water.
There is the potential for these supplies to have been contaminated by run off from farm land and into and septic tanks which if consumed could cause gastrointestinal illness, symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches and a high fever. Symptoms of these illnesses usually appear 1-10 days after becoming infected, however symptoms can appear up to 25 days after being infected
If you are concerned about your health call your own general practice team, or Healthline on 0800 611 116 – you can call 24/7 for free health advice.
With any gastro illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhoea, it’s important for people to keep their fluids up, be meticulous about handwashing and drying, and avoid preparing food for others while you have symptoms. People with more severe symptoms including fever, or who are finding it difficult to keep fluids down should seek medical advice. This is especially important for babies and young children and the elderly.
As of Wednesday 22 December, there have been no notifications reported to Community and Public Health of illness due to the water in Banks Peninsula.
Update on Banks Peninsula roads
We currently have 10 excavator crews out, working to clear roads. Our focus is on making sure people have access to their properties.
However, the following roads remain closed to the public:
- Goughs Bay Road – closed
- Hickory Bay Road– closed
- Long Bay Road– closed
- Dalglishs Road– closed
We know the bays are popular spots, especially at this time of the year. However, these roads are going to be closed (and gated) over the Christmas/New Years period because they are badly damaged. Permanent residents will have access to their properties through arrangements made directly with them.
We’ll be monitoring the situation over the Christmas / New Years break. Crews will be working, and more are scheduled to start work from 10 January 2022.
For the latest information on the state of the roads, check this map.
Restoring power
Today Orion had some planned power outages on Long Bay Road, Fishermans Bay Road, and Goughs Bay Road as their crews completed some urgent repairs. Power is expected to be back on by the end of the day.
There are three properties at the bottom of Goughs Bay that remain without power – it will take another few days to get the power back on for these properties.
There may be other power outages over the next few days as Orion continues to restore power in the area. For up to date information, customers can check Orion’s website for details including projected restoration times, or call Orion’s 24/7 Customer Support team on 0800 363 9898
Restoring landline phone connections
Chorus have advised that landline phone connections are expected to be restored by the end of the day, once power is back on.
The three properties at the bottom of Goughs Bay will have their phone lines restored once power is back on.