A diesel leak at Christchurch Men's Prison late last month has seeped into bore water 200 metres away. Photo: NZME / George Heard
Some residents in the small town of Templeton on the outskirts of Christchurch are now being told not to use their private bore water after a diesel leak at the nearby prison nearly two weeks ago.
Corrections said a "significant amount" of diesel leaked from a fuel tank at Christchurch Men's Prison and seeped into the ground below one of its buildings on 25 May.
Experts immediately began testing nearby bores and results had been negative for "dissolved hydrocarbons", but on Friday there was a positive result from a bore about 200 metres away from the prison grounds, according to Leigh Marsh, Corrections' custodial services commissioner.
"As a result, we have visited approximately 40 properties - by door-knocking and leaving a letter with further information - and have advised a small number of occupied properties that they should stop using water from their private bores, and use water from other sources," Marsh said.
"Corrections will be working with these residents directly to provide an alternate source if they do not already have one."
The affected properties had bores down gradient from where the diesel entered the ground, Marsh said.
"If a property has not been visited by Corrections, or had a letter left in their absence, they are able to continue using their bore water.
"This does not impact residents in the area on town water supply and it does not impact anyone in the wider Christchurch area."
The department was conducting further testing to confirm the positive result, and would keep affected neighbours updated.
At the time of the diesel leak, it notified key agencies including Environment Canterbury, Taumata Arowai and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Health NZ said people living in affected properties should not use the bore water for drinking, cooking or preparing food, toothbrushing, or for stock or irrigation.
"However, it is safe to continue showering or bathing and washing clothes with water from your private supply," a spokesperson said.
Anyone who felt unwell should visit their doctor or call Healthline, they said.
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