Water pipes often accumulate a layer of sediment at the bottom. Anything that stirs it up will cause brief discolouration of the water. Your pipes may be fine. (That said, I wouldn't drink the water right now.)
You get the same thing if the Fire Department uses the hydrants, for real or just to test the system.
The usual advice is to boil the water if there is any doubt. For sediment, a coffee filter first wouldn't be a terrible idea.
Edit to add: immediately after an event, if you have a tank water heater, the water in the tank was already there. If you shut off the intake valve and turn off the heater, you have enough drinking water to last for a couple of weeks. Assuming you can get a container under the drain valve on the side. Triple check you have turned off the furnace before draining any significant amount water!
I'm pretty sure Civil Defence announced it's been contaminated. I would get bottled water, and get away from the coast if you're anywhere near there, or get to high ground. If you have no other option, go to a building with reinforced concrete that's high such as a parking lot. The Tsunami warning is issued to as far as wellington, and all of the cook straight.
Yes, absolutely agreed. Last night's quake exposed my flat's somewhat chronic lack of preparation. I'll be visiting the supermarket tonight and ensuring our insurance policies are up to date, as I imagine much of Chch will be.
We've got a small collection of life straws/survival supplies for tramping, which is good, but they're in a part of the house that'd be inaccessible in a major event :/.
The usual advice is to boil the water if there is any doubt. For sediment, a coffee filter first wouldn't be a terrible idea.
Edit to add: immediately after an event, if you have a tank water heater, the water in the tank was already there. If you shut off the intake valve and turn off the heater, you have enough drinking water to last for a couple of weeks. Assuming you can get a container under the drain valve on the side. Triple check you have turned off the furnace before draining any significant amount water!