10/07/2026
📢 Tips on how to stay safe and well after flooding
🦠 Floodwaters can be contaminated with bugs that cause disease from ground surface septic tanks and sewerage systems which could make you and your family | whānau unwell.
🧼 Wash hands with soap and warm water and dry well after touching flood water or anything it has touched
🍔 Wash hands before making food or eating, touching your mouth or face, or smoking/vaping
❌ Do not allow children to play in areas impacted by floodwaters until clean-up is completed
✅ Make sure everyone helping with clean-up wears protective clothing and covers any cuts or wounds to help protect from bugs
❌ Do not eat garden produce if soil was flooded
❌ Do not collect and eat shellfish from the river mouth or harbour after a flood.
For more advice about floods and health visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/keeping-healthy/protecting-health-natural-disaster/floods-and-health
🚰 Using water safely after a flood event
✅ Following a flood event, it’s important that water used for drinking, preparing food or drinks (including baby formula), brushing teeth, or washing dishes and utensils is safe and free from contamination that could cause illness.
✅ It is important to check your local Council website to see if you are under a 'boil water' notice. If you are – please follow the instructions.
✅ If you do not have safe running water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for 1 minute or until the jug turns off automatically. Or add 5 drops of unscented bleach to 1 litre of water (or half a teaspoon for 10 litres) and leave for 30 minutes.
For advice on how to make water safe to drink under a boil water notice, visit: www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-the-public/drinking-water-in-an-emergency/treating-water
For more information on safe drinking water during a flood, visit: www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/home/incidents-and-emergencies
