Call in the Commissioners, this is the plea from the boss of Master Plumbers, who reckons Wellington bureaurats are flushing money and plumbers should be brought in to patch the tsunami of leaks in Wellington's water pipes. A report shows response and repair times have blown out; a patch-up that should take less than five days to do, is taking 40 days on average. Staff shortages at the region's water services are also stalling repairs. Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default default/index.html?videoId=6346036434112
Photo: 123RF
The report, released at the end of March, says better regulation is needed for drinking water, and also recommends a review of plumbing standards for lead in taps and pipe fittings.
The East Otago contamination, where lead levels tested as high as almost 40 times the acceptable limit for drinking water, is still being investigated, but household taps and pipe fittings containing lead are widely used throughout this country.
University of Canterbury director of environmental science Sally Gaw said there should be no lead in taps for drinking water, and it was important the review into plumbing standards is done.