Hawkins praises ‘strength of the manaakitanga’

Dunedin's mayor says he was sickened by what could have gone wrong if a lead scare had turned out differently.

"As a human being ... particularly as a parent, the mere idea that infrastructure we were responsible for could have caused harm to young families, in particular, made me feel physically ill," Mayor Aaron Hawkins said. 

Mayor Aaron Hawkins.

The Dunedin City Council yesterday reflected on an investigation into the council’s handling of a scare last year that resulted in residents of Waikouaiti, Karitane and Hawksbury Village being advised against drinking from their tap water for six months.

Ultimately, the council and health authorities concluded the supply was safe.

However, the investigation by former state services deputy commissioner Ross Tanner highlighted council communication problems during the month before the public was warned about possible lead exposure.

A do-not-drink notice was issued on February 2 last year — a day after council chief executive Sandy Graham found out about a potential water contamination problem, but almost a month after some council staff knew about a high lead reading.

Mr Tanner said council staff had been frank with him about the organisation not following appropriate escalation procedures from the outset of a developing situation.

He praised many aspects of the council’s response from about February 2, saying it went about as well as could be hoped for.

Mr Hawkins said council problems in the preceding month led to it being unable to have "a very serious conversation with affected residents in the way that they deserved".

"I’m sorry that we let so many of our people down," he said.

Mr Hawkins said he hoped the council’s comprehensive response since had rebuilt trust.

A highlight was "the strength of the manaakitanga that swung in behind our residents".

Public health officials organised blood tests for residents and the council set up alternative water supplies, replaced old pipes and offered fruit and vegetables free of charge.

Several councillors said lessons had been learnt and they lauded much of the council’s response, including the dedication of former three waters group manager Tom Dyer and the help provided by Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison in managing the broader response.

Cr Steve Walker said the council "owned" its mistakes.

Crs Sophie Barker and Carmen Houlahan offered their own apologies to residents.

Cr Jim O’Malley lashed out at news media.

"There never ever was lead in the distribution lines in the Waikouaiti-Karitane area," he said.

"We have not delivered lead-laden water to anybody."

An extensive council report last year found a series of intermittent spikes in lead levels were likely caused by lead leaching from pipes and fittings in customer connections.

Lead in sediment or material from the sample tap was the likely cause of a high reading at the Waikouaiti raw water reservoir.

The city council concluded there was no widespread lead in its drinking water network.