Mangaore Village Water Supply Boil Water Notice

Published on September 23, 2026

During a routine inspection, Horowhenua District Council found two dead rodents in one of the reservoirs that supplies water to the Mangaore community.

As a precaution, we immediately took the reservoir offline and switched the community's water supply to an alternative reservoir. We are also issuing a boil water notice for Mangaore while further testing and remedial work are completed.

This applies to the Mangaore community which is between 25-50 properties who may be impacted.

We are working closely with Taumata Arowai, the Water Services Authority, and following all required processes. This is standard practise and will take any further guidance from them. Work will soon be underway to drain, clean, disinfect and refill the reservoir. We will also carry out thorough water quality testing before the reservoir is returned to service. We have an additional existing reservoir tank that is now feeding that localised network.

Chief Executive Monique Davidson said the issue was identified through Council's regular monitoring programme.

“We understand this news may be unsettling for our Mangaore residents, and we want to ensure the community are well informed about the status of their drinking water. "

"As soon as the issue was identified, we acted quickly to take the reservoir offline and switch to the alternative existing supply. Additionally, our teams today have been flushing the main water network, draining any potentially contaminated water from the network, reducing the risk to having a minimal impact, however, caution still applies and that is why we've issued the boil water notice."

"The safety of our drinking water is a top priority. We're working closely with Taumata Arowai and taking every necessary step to clean, test and safely return the reservoir to service. We appreciate the community's understanding and will continue to keep residents updated as this work progresses."

We know our community expects safe and reliable drinking water, and we take that responsibility seriously. We will continue to closely monitor water quality and keep residents informed as work progresses and we expect to have any tomorrow afternoon (Thursday 24 September).

Until the notice is lifted, all water used for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, making ice, and preparing infant formula must be boiled before use.

Boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for one minute, then allow it to cool before use. Water can also be boiled in an electric jug until the jug switches off automatically.

Water can still be used for showering, bathing, laundry and flushing toilets. Young children should be supervised while bathing and care should be taken to avoid swallowing water.

If boiling is not possible, residents should use bottled water.

We will continue testing the water supply and will provide updates through its website and Facebook page as soon as more information is available or the notice is lifted. Those properties impacted, will have also be receiving a letter in their letter box informing them of the notice.