Christchurch City Council to reduce chlorine level in water following public outcry

  • 28/05/2018
Twenty seven of the 53 pump stations will have their chlorine levels lowered.
Twenty seven of the 53 pump stations will have their chlorine levels lowered. Photo credit: Newshub

The chlorination levels in Christchurch's drinking water will be lowered in an attempt to reduce the strong taste and smell.

The decision comes after Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel asked staff if they could reduce the chlorine level because of the widespread dissatisfaction from residents.

Twenty seven of the 53 pump stations will have their chlorine levels lowered, the Council's city services general manager David Adamson says.

"We are hoping reducing the dose will help with the taste and smell issues that some people have been experiencing but until we roll this out we cannot make promises," Mr Adamson says.

"The advice we have had from our independent expert suggests the lower dose could reduce the taste and smell issues, but there is a chance it may not make a significant difference.

"That being said, both our expert and the drinking water assessor believe the potential benefits outweigh that risk and it is worth shifting to a lower dose where we can."

In January, the city's councillors voted to temporarily chlorinate the city's water supply after a recommendation by Canterbury medical health officer Dr Alistair Humphrey.

Newshub.