Testing for legionella completed

Media Release
13 April 2006

Testing for legionella bacteria in roof-collected rain water supplies in Beachlands has been completed.

At a public meeting on 27 March, Manukau City Council offered to assist the Auckland Regional Public Health Service with payment for additional testing if it was deemed necessary.

Subsequent to the meeting, additional testing of households was carried out by the public health service in the wider Beachlands community, and results of this testing are awaited.

Today, Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau, and Dr William Rainger, Auckland Regional Public Health Service Manager, said further testing was not warranted.

“The public health service has advised Council that there have been no cases of Legionnaire’s Disease reported in Beachlands outside of the original tested area,” says Sir Barry.

“On this basis, the public health service believes the contamination was highly localised and that further testing would not benefit the community at large.”

Dr William Rainger says the regional public health service appreciated the offer by Manukau City Council to pay for extended water testing if required, but with no new cases reported, further sampling was not considered necessary.

“Beachlands householders have been provided with advice on how to clean their water tanks and treat their water supplies, as this is the best method of eradicating any bacteria which may be present in the water,” Dr Rainer says.

“Homeowners should continue to maintain their water supply systems and keep their water supply clean.”

Manukau City Council will honour its commitment to pay for water for homeowners who have had their water tanks commercially cleaned prior to end of May 2006, however homeowners will be responsible for the cost of cartage.

The ARPHS will continue to monitor the situation at Beachlands.

ENDS

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