6 Oct 2025
Drinking water contamination scare shuts down schools
A drinking water contamination scare has shut down several Waikato schools on what was supposed to be the first day back after the holidays. On Saturday the Rototuna Reservoir tested positive for ecoli, it supplies about 12,000 properties in North East Hamilton, Gordonton and Puketaha in Waikato District. About 30,000 residents have been told to boil tap water before using it for cooking, drinking, preparing baby formula or cleaning their teeth. Hamilton City Council's Three Waters unit director Maire Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.