Mayor eyes task force on water treatment

Christchurch City Council has reiterated its determination to rid the city’s water of chlorine in 12 months as the mayor signals creating a task force to ensure chlorination is temporary.

The stance comes after a water expert Iain Rabbitts said it was likely the city’s drinking water supply would end up being chlorinated permanently even if the council did repair all its 103 faulty well heads.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel slammed Rabbitts’ views at a council meeting yesterday. She said his opinion was ‘‘unvalidated’’ and it was ‘‘quite irresponsible’’ to present it as anything else. Read more