Temporary boil water notice in place for Fordell water supply
Published on 08 August 2025
Whanganui District Council has today issued a boil water notice for all properties connected to the Fordell rural water supply, effective immediately.
This notice has been issued because the council is planning to replace the old roof on the reservoir storage tank. While preparing for this work we have found a section of the roof has deteriorated.
Safety is the council’s top priority, and the boil water notice has been issued as an additional layer of protection and a precautionary measure. Taumata Arowai (New Zealand’s water regulator) has been informed as part of this process.
Council Chief Executive, David Langford says that the roof of the reservoir tank was already on the council’s work programme as part of the council’s Long-Term Plan investment to maintain and upgrade the district’s core infrastructure.
"We are taking a “belts and braces” approach to safety because the last thing we want is for someone to become sick. A temporary water supply had already been organised ahead of the roof replacement, and specialist contractors will soon be erecting scaffolding and installing a temporary cover so that the work can get underway."
David Langford says that water quality testing to date has shown no contamination and there are good levels of chlorine disinfectant in the water. Testing will continue daily until the roof repairs are complete.
Properties serviced by all other rural water supply schemes at Mowhanau, Westmere and Pākaraka are not affected. The Whanganui city water supply is also unaffected.
If you are unsure if you are connected to the Fordell supply (see map) please call us on 06 349 0001 and we can check for you.
In the meantime, if you are connected to the Fordell scheme, this is the action you need to take:
- use boiled water for drinking, preparing food, cooking, making up infant formula, handwashing, and cleaning teeth
- bring the water to a rolling boil (where bubbles appear in the centre and do not disappear when the water is stirred) for one minute. Or boil the water in an electric jug until the jug turns off automatically
- store the boiled water in a clean container with a lid. Boiled water is best used within 24 hours and can be boiled again to be sure it is safe. This is especially important for preparing infant formula.
Please share this information with whanau, friends and neighbours.
If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your doctor or Healthline (0800 611 116).
This notice will remain in place until the water supply is safe to drink or use normally. Whanganui District Council will issue a notice when the water is again safe to use. Instructions on what to do when the boil water notice is lifted will be issued at that time.
For more information please visit:
Council website - drinking water
https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-communities/emergencies/treating-water/
Or contact the council on:
(06) 349 0001 (monitored 24/7, including for urgent enquiries)
yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz
The map shows the approximate extent of the Fordell water supply.
