Napier water shortage: Supermarket denies price-gouging claims as water sales soar 6 Dec, 2017 11:45am 2 minutes to read Bottled water was trucked into Napier yesterday following a run on shop-bought drinking water as a major supermarket denies social media claims of price-gouging in the wake of yesterday’s "water crisis".
Although some shops sold out of water yesterday, residents have been told there is no need to panic buy – with shops restocked and the aquifer seemingly recovering overnight.
Four Square Greenmeadows manager Malik Patel said there was a definite rise in the number of people wanting to buy bottled water with dozens of people wanting to buy water.
Napier reservoir automation system pressed by "extreme" circumstances Other shops reported selling out, with the Taradale Four Square expecting a big delivery today to replenish its sold-out stocks.
Foodstuffs Ltd, spokeswoman Antoinette Laird said more supplies had already been brought into the city.
"Sales of bottled water in PAK’nSAVE supermarkets in the Napier area were pretty brisk yesterday in response to the water reservoir issue.
"More supplies were delivered overnight and yet more bottles are on their way.
She added there was no truth to social media posts suggesting supermarkets had raised prices.
Contrary to rumours circulating on Facebook there have been no increases.
A spokeswoman for the regional council also pointed out that the One pure water bottling plant in Napier would not have had an impact on water levels.