About 20 people yesterday attended the public forum of the board’s meeting at the West Otago RSA, joining a total of 12 board and Clutha District Council representatives.
The tone remained calm and constructive, as residents raised concerns about a third boil water notice for the town in recent months, which the council issued on Friday.
Clutha District Council head of Three Waters Linda Till explained the notice had been issued after drinking water had fallen “out of spec" last week.
She said a trainee technician deployed to monitor the plant following the alert had failed to take appropriate remedial action, leading to the notice being issued.
A previous boil water notice, in October, had lasted more than a month, but Ms Till said she expected the latest notice to be lifted within “days".
Affected residents attending the meeting spoke of their frustration with the inconveniences and costs caused by the notices, and a lack of information from the council.
One resident asked whether “real-time" water quality data could be shared online, allowing people to make informed decisions.
"Part of this is communication; we’d like to know exactly what is wrong with the water so we can act accordingly, whether it’s microorganisms or discolouration through tannins, for example."
Another resident — a former water plant technician for the town — said the Whisky Gully source water had always been problematic.
“Swamps up on Blue Mountains feed Whisky Gully with water containing tannins, which are very difficult to remove. There are alternative Blue Mountain creeks that provided crystal-clear water, although the volume of supply might not be there," he said.
Ms Till said the council would look at all options as part of longer-term planning for the town.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the council shared residents’ frustrations.
“As we’ve increased our standards, the standards have increased ahead of us. I can say with some confidence you’re drinking better water than ever before, but that doesn’t mean we’re there yet."
