Water from the Turitea catchment is chemically high quality, but not high enough to use directly. This is common in natural run-off from bush catchments as the water is slightly coloured, sometimes has large numbers of algal cells, and after heavy rain may contain silt and protozoans such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
The treatment plant removes the colour, algae and silt, and ensures the water is free from bacteria and protozoans. Ongoing monitoring shows that the treatment plant provides an effective barrier to these issues.
The quality of the artesian supplies is excellent, with the only treatment required being chlorination to neutralise hydrogen sulphide that is present naturally, and to provide residual disinfectant protection in the reticulation.
Fluoride is added at Turitea and the artesian stations. The level of fluoride in the water is maintained at between 0.7 and one part per million.
The Council's laboratory maintains a close check on the water quality from all our sources. Bacteriological and general chemical quality is regularly tested and samples are collected daily in different parts of the city for microbiological analysis.
Flush water before drinking
Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours.
Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking-water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings.
Palmerston North City Council backs this simple precaution for all households, including those on public and private water supplies.