Health officials have claimed that raw sewage is continuing to pose as a big menace for the residents of Canterbury. Raw sewage is a major factor contributing in the contamination of water supply thereby posing a boosted threat to the public health in the area.

The potential risk for public health is related to the contamination of drinking water, outlines Ramon Pink, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health.

Water testing initiatives have been launched for discerning the level of contamination. In a view to assist with water testing in the area, a medical officer of health and five health-protection officers are reported to have arrived from Wellington yesterday.

Besides, six Defence Force personnel majoring in environmental health and a water-sanitation specialist engineer are also reported to have reached in Christchurch.

Recently, two public health cases of gastroenteritis have been reported in two families residing at the Linwood College. However, the reason for the infection is still not clear that whether it has been cropped due to contaminated drinking water or Saturday’s earthquake.

Officials are advising people to continue with conserving water and should be thrifty while using water in toilets.

Emergency Department (ED) specialist Scott Pearson quoted, "The biggest concern for us was the unknown out there in the community. We weren't sure of the scale of the situation".