FLOOD AFTERMATH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 5

FLOOD AFTERMATH

LOCAL WATER SUPPLY HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S REPORT A report from the Health Department as regards the water supply and the general conditions reslulting from the flood aftermath as regards the public health point of view contains some interesting information. Residents will be pleased to krtow that the Whakatane supply is considered. quite safe l'or drinking purposes, and that the clilorination and disinfection of tlic water was 0112 of tlie tirst. problems undertaken by the Health Department utter tho' Hood. The water is still very un-» pleasant to drink owing to the amount of material in suspension, but this has no relation whatever to disease or disease germs. Those people who draw their wai> er straight from the Rangitaiki or from wells however arc strongly advised to boil it, as it is; quite possible that this water can cause infection, it not being chlorinated. As regards the highly unpleasant smell caused through rotting and decomposing animal and vegetable* matter on the plains and surrounding districts, there is nothing in this * that can cause infection of any kind. Although it was suspected that it could be the cause of a bronchial complaint, it has now been verified by the Health Department, that there, is nothing more wrong with the air in the polluted parts than just the smell itself.