Low-temperature electron micrograph of a cluster of E. coli bacteria, magnified 10,000 times. Photo: Eric Erbe and Christopher Pooley, both of USDA, ARS, EMU)
Low levels of E Coli have been detected at a drinking water testing site in Palmerston North.
The Palmerston North City Council said in a statement there was no need for people to do anything differently, but they are informing the public in the name of transparency.
"The city's drinking water safety plan only requires public notification if levels are five times higher than this reading, but transparency matters to us, which is why we're keeping you informed," it said in a statement.
A sample taken Wednesday afternoon showed a very low presence of the bacteria - only just above detectable levels.
The council said all other tests, including of chlorine levels across the city yesterday, returned normal results.
It said that given yesterday's rainy and windy conditions, external environmental factors might have contaminated the sample causing a false positive.
Further test results would be available on Friday afternoon, due to a standard 24-hour turnaround.
Update: On Friday, Palmerston North City Council, said water tests had come back without any trace of E Coli.
"Our water has now been confirmed safe to drink after the latest tests done around the city have shown it to be clear of e-coli contamination, it said.
"We will continue to investigate the cause of the sample result, but it is highly likely to be a result of the rainy and windy conditions on the day it was taken, which may have contaminated the sample, causing a false positive result."
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