Nuku‘alofa — A temporary ban on drinking water in ‘Eua remains in place as Tonga’s Ministry of Health awaits confirmation testing from laboratories in New Zealand and Fiji.
The latest update from health officials follows an earlier Kaniva News report that authorities had issued an urgent public health advisory instructing all residents of ‘Eua not to drink, cook with, or consume water from the island’s public supply or any bore water sources.
According to the Ministry of Health, testing conducted in collaboration with the Tonga Water Board found dangerously high levels of lead (Pb) in both the public water system and groundwater bores.
Officials said the detected lead levels exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, rendering the water unsafe for human consumption.
Health authorities stressed that boiling the water does not remove lead, and therefore does not make the supply safe to drink.
The Ministry confirmed that the current water supply may only be used for bathing and other non‑consumption purposes, while residents are urged to rely on rainwater tanks and commercially bottled water, which remain safe for drinking.
The advisory does not affect alcoholic beverages.
Officials said they are monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates once overseas laboratories return final confirmation results on the contamination.
