Health NZ 'Floods and Health' Information

Date:

8 Jul 2026, 12:40 pm

Categories:

News Update

Floods and health

Floodwaters can be contaminated with bugs that cause disease from ground surface septic tanks and sewerage systems which could make you and your whānau unwell.

To keep safe, here are some things to remember after a flood:

Wash hands with soap and warm water and dry well after touching flood water or anything it has touched
Wash hands before making food or eating, touching your mouth or face, or smoking/vaping
Do not allow children to play in areas impacted by floodwaters until clean-up is completed
Make sure everyone helping with clean-up wears protective clothing.
Do not eat garden produce if soil was flooded
Do not collect and eat shellfish from the river mouth or harbour after a flood.

For more advice about floods and health: www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/keeping-healthy/protecting-health-natural-disaster/floods-and-health

Using water safely after a flood event

Following a flood event, it’s important that water used for drinking, preparing food or drinks (including baby formula), brushing teeth, or washing dishes and utensils is safe and free from contamination that could cause illness.

Do not drink water from the tap until council or your community supplier has advised the drinking water is safe. If you have received a ‘boil water notice’ – please follow the instructions. If you do not have safe running water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for 1 minute or until the jug turns off automatically. Or add 5 drops of unscented bleach to 1 litre of water (or half a teaspoon for 10 litres) and leave for 30 minutes.

For advice on how to make water safe to drink under a boil water notice: www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-the-public/drinking-water-in-an-emergency/treating-water

For more information on safe drinking water during a flood, visit www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/home/incidents-and-emergencies

Health NZ website – Floods and health