There is a generally high level of satisfaction with the service. The water supply was the third highest scoring service provided by the council. There were a total of 308 responses to water related questions and 389 unprompted comments. The impromptu comments are an interesting insight into customer perception and although subjective can provide a valuable source of information. For this reason they are carefully scrutinised and considered in future planning. Level of Service - Provide a level of water quality that meets community needs and is appropriate to the degree of public health risk. Performance Indicator – Percentage compliance with E.coli criteria for Priority One (P1) bacteriological determinant of Drinking Water Standards NZ (DWSNZ.) Measured by the number of samples required by DWSNZ. The recognised indicator of the bacteriological quality of drinking water is the absence of the bacteria E.coli. The bacteria are derived from the mammalian gut and are very common in the wider environment. It is readily detected and is therefore used as an indicator of possible faecal contamination of the drinking water supply. Detection of the bacteria in a routine sample provokes an immediate investigatory sample survey of the source, treatment works and water distribution area in proximity to the positive sample. Failure to detect any further contamination maybe due to transient ‘slug’ of infected water passing through the system or, alternatively, due to accidental contamination of the water or sample bottle during the sampling process. Confirmation of the infection will result in emergency disinfection of the water supply and flushing of the water mains. A precautionary ‘Boil Water Notice’ is issued to households in the affected area. Whether or not the initial bacteria contamination can be confirmed by the investigation the positive result is officially recorded and reported to the Drinking Water Assessor. The result is recorded as a ‘failure’ for formal reporting purposes. This performance indicator has been achieved for the period 2011/12 - 13/14. Around 2,000 water samples per year are analysed. E.coli. On 4th February 2014 E.coli was detected at two sites in the Witherlea suburb of Blenheim. In the 11 days following notification 82 investigatory samples were taken. A single E.coli was incubated in four separate samples on the 11, 13th th and two samples on 15. The samples were all in the vicinity of the Weld Street reservoir. Theth reservoir was drained, cleaned and flushed on 18 as it seemed to be the common factor in theth intermittent and very low level contamination. Sampling continued until 21 with no further E.coli detected. The Drinking Water Assessor was advised throughout and there were no known health consequences. There were insufficient sample failures to affect the overall activity performance score. To comply with DWSNZ a comprehensive sampling programme must be implemented and rigorously adhered at both the treatment plants and sample sites from around the reticulation system. Failure to meet the programme is recorded as a failure to comply with the requirements of the Drinking Water Standards. The Awatere supply system was excluded from the performance indicator until 2013. In mid 2012 a MIOX dis-infection plant was installed at Blarich. The plant was installed as a temporary measure to improve the water quality until a permanent solution to meet the DWSNZ can be Page 24