Latest update as of 4.30pm Wednesday 19 November, 2025:
Boil water notice is currently in place for Rūātoki.
Due to recent heavy rainfall, the Rūātoki Water Treatment Plant’s ultraviolet (UV) treatment system is currently unable to operate effectively. The rainfall has caused increased turbidity (cloudiness) in the water supply, which prevents the UV system from fully neutralising harmful bacteria and viruses.
As a result, a Boil Water Notice is now in effect for all residents of Rūātoki.
What you need to do:
- Boil all water for at least 3 minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or preparing food.
- If using an electric kettle or jug, you may need to boil the water twice to reach this duration.
The Council is continuing treatment and regularly testing the water around the water pipe network. The water is currently safe to use as long as it is boiled first. If there’s any change in water quality, we’ll let you know straight away.
We’re testing the water daily. The notice will stay in place until the water is confirmed safe to drink without boiling.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our community safe.
- What to do if a boil water notice is in place
During heavy rainfall, the Rūātoki Water Treatment Plant’s ultraviolet (UV) treatment system is unable to operate effectively. The rainfall causes increased turbidity (cloudiness) in the water supply, which prevents the UV system from fully neutralising harmful bacteria and viruses.
As a result, a Boil Water Notice is put in effect for all residents of Rūātoki.
What you need to do during a boil water notice:
- Boil all water for at least 3 minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or preparing food.
- If using an electric kettle or jug, you may need to boil the water twice to reach this duration.
During a boil water notice the Council regularly tests the water around the water pipe network. The water is safe to use as long as it is boiled first. The notice stays in place until the water is confirmed safe to drink without boiling.
For updates, please check this page (www.whakatane.govt.nz/boil-water-notice-ruatoki), or our Facebook page.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our communities safe.
- What is the long-term solution?
We've been trialling a new membrane and micro filter in the Rūātoki water supply pump station to help reduce turbidity (cloudiness) of the water supply, especially during rain, and it’s been working well so far. This is part of our ongoing work to improve water quality in the area.
These filters work by physically removing fine particles and sediment from the water in order to increase the water quality. They can be cleaned and sterilised at the end of each cycle, which is a great cost-saving approach.
However, the boil water notice will likely still need to be turned on during heavy rain events when turbidity (water cloudiness) increases due to the increased water flow in the river.
Looking ahead, funding has been set aside in the Long Term Plan to build a new water treatment plant in Rūātoki to help with this. We’re currently working with stakeholders on this plan, and hope to begin looking into construction in late 2026.
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