People on the Eastern Bush water scheme need to boil all drinking water. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
An urgent boil water notice has been issued for a Southland drinking water supply after E. coli bacteria was detected.
Southland District Council said people on the Eastern Bush water scheme needed to boil their drinking water until further notice.
The council said contractors were investigating and the notice might remain in place for three to four days.
Symptoms of infection may include severe stomach cramps, mild to severe diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.