Quake: Key information
By KIRSTY JOHNSTON - Stuff
Last updated 11:53 05/09/2010
What's working, what isn't and what to do after the earthquake.
POWER
Power has been restored to 90 per cent of Christchurch. Power can not be restored in the
central city until all buildings are checked.
WATER
Water supply has resumed for all but 20 per cent of the city, however, residents should still
conserve water.
There is a shortage of drinkable water in Waimakariri, mostly Kaiapoi. The Selwyn District
has nearly returned to normal in urban centres but rural areas remain problematic.
Rolleston's water is contaminated.
Residents of Canterbury are still advised to boil water prior to use, also to avoid recreational
use of water as rivers have been affected with sewage.
There are more than 200 water leaks around the city - about 100 of which are reasonably
significant.
Residents are asked to flush toilets only sparingly. Some sewage overflows to rivers may
occur as people increase their water use and the broken wastewater mains struggle to cope
with demand. Portaloos have been provided in parts of the city and more will be provided as
they can be sourced.
Brighton and Brooklands and parts of Avonside are the worst hit areas in the city and public
health issues may yet force evacuations.
Water tankers will be located around the city to the areas of greatest need.
ROADS
Slips and drop-outs in the road surface along with some earth movement around bridge
abutments are the major roading problem at this stage.
State Highway 77 between Metheven and Windwhistle and Mid Canterbury is closed. The
Chaney's Road on Ramp on to State Highway 1 north of Christchurch is closed.
State Highway 75 from Taipapu to Kaituna in the Banks Peninsula area near Christchurch,
remains open, but is damaged. Signposted detours are available for highways that have
been closed because of earth quake damage.
Key bridges on the State Highway 1 over the Ashburton and Rakaia Rivers to the south of
Christchurch and across the Waimakariri River north of Christchurch are operational.
Motorists should limit trips to essential travel, and extreme caution should be exercised
throughout the area until a full assessment has been completed.
In the central city, road have been blocked by debris after several buildings collapsed onto
the streets.
There will be no public access to the cordoned central city area before Monday - with the
exception of residents. The cordon covers the area bounded by Madras, St Asaph, Montreal
and Kilmore streets.
HOSPITALS
All Canterbury hospitals are now open.
Only attend A and E at the hospital or after hours medical centres if absolutely essential.
Lincoln Maternity Hospital and Burwood Birthing Unit remain closed until further notice.
Women who were intending to birth at the Units prior to the earthquake should go to
Christchurch Women's Hospital.
Staff at Christchurch Women's Hospital have been advised and will be expecting more
women to arrive there.
The Rangiora Birthing Unit and Ashburton Hospital remain open for birthing mothers.
Pre planned caesareans and induction of labour will continue at Christchurch Women's
Hospital tomorrow as scheduled.
PHONE LINES
Hundreds of payphones in Christchurch are now free for local, national and mobile calls.
Telecom says power outages and other damage has meant parts of the city are still without
landlines.
FOOD
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has asked people:
* minimise food and water spoilage
* ensure food is safe
* focus on hygiene
* use safe cooking and washing water
AIRPORT
Fully operational. Passengers need to contact their airline before heading to the airport to
check their flight schedule.
SCHOOLS
A decision is expected soon on whether schools in the region will open tomorrow.
There is no reported major damage to schools or early childhood services (ECE) in the
Canterbury region but this may change.
The Ministry of Education is working with principals and boards to determine the extent of
any damage to schools in the region.
CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY
Canterbury University has closed its campus for one week.
The university reports no injuries but it needs to assess the campus for health and safety
problems.
It expects to re-open the campus on Monday, September 13.