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Last modified: 06 Sep 2022 11:42am

A young boy drinking from a tapThe Council has confirmed the timetable for chlorinating Selwyn's remaining unchlorinated water supplies to meet new government requirements.

The Water Services Act 2021 requires all public water supplies in New Zealand to have chlorination operating in the week of 15 November 2022.

Selwyn has 18 unchlorinated schemes that require upgrades. The Council has been working through these; and has confirmed a work programme for the remaining schemes. Though, current planning indicates three schemes may be upgraded after 15 November, the Council continues to explore options to chlorinate these supplies sooner and under discussion with Taumata Arowai that all reasonable efforts are being made to meet the legal requirements.

Chlorination has been widely and safely used to treat water supplies for more than 100 years – including the majority of water supplies in New Zealand. The Council has made a major investment in recent years to upgrade all its water supplies to have a multi-barrier approach, using filtration, UV treatment and other barriers at all water treatment plants. The required chlorination adds protection for when water is in the pipes between the treatment plant and users.

The Council was the first in the country to apply for an exemption from chlorination. It is continuing to work through the process of applying for exemptions, using a risk-based approach and is expecting feedback from Taumata Arowai on these applications in early 2023.

To receive a reminder text or email when chlorination is due to begin on your water supply, sign up to our water alerts .

Find more information on chlorination .