Run your tap first

Many water sources used for public water supplies in New Zealand are plumbosolvent. This means that the water is slightly acidic and can dissolve metals such as lead and copper out of brass fittings, if the tap has not been used for a while.

Council’s water supplies are plumbosolvent in Blenheim, Picton, Renwick, Havelock and Wairau Valley.

Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai - Public Notice

Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours.

Although the health risk is small, the Water Services Authority recommends:

• Only use water from cold taps for drinking and cooking
• Flush cold taps used for drinking and cooking for at least ten seconds first thing in the morning to draw fresh water through the tap
• Flush cold taps used for drinking and cooking for at least two minutes if they have not been used for more than two days
• Speak to a plumber about ensuring your drinking water plumbing is lead free
• Choose plumbing products that are lead free

Council recommends these simple precautions for all households, including private supplies and those on other Council public supplies such as Awatere/Dashwood.