A boil water notice has remained in place for parts of Christchurch’s eastern suburbs after further testing returned another positive result in the same location within the Rawhiti Zone.

Residents and visitors in New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore were first advised to boil their water after a contaminated sample was detected.

In an update at 12:31pm on Sunday 15 February, the council said wider sampling across the Rawhiti Zone was showing good results, but a further positive result at the same site meant the notice could not yet be lifted.

A Christchurch City Council spokesperson said, “Results from sampling in the wider Rawhiti Zone are looking good. However as we have had a further positive result in the same location, the boil water notice is still in place.”

The spokesperson said the notice would remain until the council could provide confidence to Taumata Arowai that the water was safe to drink. “Part of this assessment will be ensuring we also have at least three days of good results,” they said.

The council has reopened the community drinking water station at 345 Keyes Road, where residents can fill containers with chlorine free water. The water at that site has been confirmed safe to drink.

In response to questions about tankers, the spokesperson said tankers were generally provided where there was no water available and boiling remained the best option for most residents.

“Our focus remains on ensuring everyone is aware of the health risk. Staff and contractors are continuing to investigate possible causes and are undertaking further sampling across the zone,” the spokesperson said.

The boil water notice remains in place until further notice.