Three pump stations will not need to be included in the temporary chlorination programme.

The stations all have above ground well heads and we’ve put our case to the Drinking Water Assessor that they be designated as secure and they have agreed.

While water pumped from these pump stations in New Brighton and Prestons will not be treated, we’re advising people that live in these areas they could still receive chlorinated water. This is because the network is interconnected, so in periods of high demand, we can maintain adequate supplies.

Work to begin temporary chlorination of water supply in the city’s largest zone will begin next week.

About 255,000 people are in the central zone, which stretches from Sumner through Sydenham to St Albans and Papanui as well as across to New Brighton in the east.

So far our contractors have introduced temporary chlorination at about half the pump stations across the city and will continue to roll it out over coming days. We're aiming to have started temporary treatment of all Council water supplies by the end of April.

As temporary chlorination is implemented at each pump station, we're testing the water to make sure that chlorine doses are at the appropriate lowest possible level.

We’ve had a few people contact us complaining of a strong smell. While in some areas the initial doses have been slightly elevated, testing shows we are well below the allowable limit. We will continue to monitor and adjust the dose rate as we progress.

We expect any smell and taste issues to reduce as the chlorine comes into full effect and suggest people put a jug in the fridge for drinking as the smell and taste will reduce over time.

There is background information and a map on our website showing areas of the city where chlorine is being used and this will be updated as we progress. There is also a question and answer section on the Council website.

You can call the Customer Contact Centre on 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 if you have any questions, or email watersupply@ccc.govt.nz