Reaction To Chlorinated Water

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 14

Reaction To Chlorinated Water

(NX. Preu Ai»octatton> DUNEDIN, Dec. 21. Dunedin’s newlychlorinated water supply to hill suburbs has had serious effects in many homes. It has caused nausea and vomiting in many children and some adults. Birds and goldfish, many of them children's pets, have died. The Medical Officer of Health in Dunedin, Dr. F. A. de Hamel, said today he had been kept busy answering telephone inquiries and complaints about the effects of the chlorinated water. “Children and adults have been nauseated by the water in certain areas.” Dr. de • Hamel said. “Chlorine itself, even In very high concentrations, . much higher than that being administered ttfSthe city’s

water supply, though it may be unpalatable, has never been shown to have caused a serious illness."

He said he suspected current nausea was caused by a high residual of chloromines—chlorine bound to organic matter —In the water. “These are well known to be irritants and the cause of much of the unpleasant taste of the water when the concentrations of these substances is high,” Dr. de Hamel said. “It is difficult to say whether a person is nauseated directly as a result of drinking . water containing ehloromines or whether it could be attributed to a natural reaction to drinking a somewhat smelly and unpleasant tasting matter." Boiling the water and letting it cool would almost certainly reduce the effect of ‘chlorine, and a chemical was available to remove chlorine, he said, but should only be used under

He also warned that anyone using water other than tap water, from streams or springs, should boil it before drinking. It could be as dangerous as the tap supply was unpleasant. Goldfish and pet birds have died in many homes. Toxic to Life

Dr. D. S. Scott, a lecturer in zoology at the University of Otago, said chlorine, added to the city water supply tb kill bacteria, was toxic to all forms of life, but was particularly toxic to fish. A pet shop owner said the best thing goldfish owners could do was to use creek water or rainwater caught in an earthenware container. Nothing could be done to save goldfish once they had been affected by chlorinated water, she said. Goldfish range in price from a few shillings each to £1 IQs. Almost 70 goldfish in two pods at the

were killed when they received a supply of chlorinated water. The deputy city engineer, Mr T. Williams, said the amount of chlorine being added to the city water supply was within the amount specified by health regulations. Dunedin was the last of the main centres, apart from Christchurch, which did not require chlorination because of its artesian source, to receive a chlorinated water supply. There was no question of an error in the amount of chlorine being added to the water.

The amount of chlorine in the water supply to being progressively reduced. At first large amounts are used to elean out the water system and the dosage is then reduced to an unchanging and lower level. This will be done progressively over the next few weeks.