Queenstown’s West Coast District Hospital has been hit by a potential water contamination issue after testing detected elevated levels of heavy metals in the water supply to the facility today.
The Department of Health is taking precautionary measures by implementing established water testing and safety protocols, and has advised staff, patients and visitors not to consume water from the hospital premises until further notice.
Bottled water has been provided to ensure continued access to safe, clean drinking water.
The Department is currently coordinating with TasWater to conduct further testing of the water supply in the Queenstown area as a priority.
According to Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, a sample taken immediately outside the hospital detected the elevated levels of heavy metals.
“The hospital has now implemented safety measures as a precaution while we further investigate the hospital and town water supply.”
“The findings to date do not suggest there is any current risk from the water supply in the wider Queenstown area.”
“Residents do not need to change their water consumption habits,” said Veitch.
TasWater is responsible for the supply and management of municipal water throughout Tasmania, and the Department of Health encourages anyone with concerns or queries about water quality in the wider Queenstown area to contact TasWater for further information.
