By Jessica Rowe
School was back for some in Christchurch this morning, and hot showers ran for the first time too. But a third welcome return was that of the rubbish collectors - they were even out in the hard-hit eastern suburbs.
The authorities are worried that rubbish lying around means the rat population will flourish.
Some households haven't had their rubbish collected for up to two weeks, and the council is catering for the overflowing bins.
"Rubbish collection are moving as per normal," says Mayor Bob Parker. "The difference is you can add your red bin in, even if it's not your red bin day."
But there's mounting concern over the areas which are still out of bounds. And with the CBD full of food waste, rubbish and vacant buildings, pest controllers say it's a perfect breeding environment for rats.
"It's inevitable that there is going to be rats starting to establish due to the rivers and town," says pest controller Royce Delaney. "Rats could pose a possible problem to the city long term."
The council says it's doing all it can to avoid an outbreak.
"There is the opportunity for rats and dogs knocking over bins and then get in them, and then we have an increase in vermin, and they have the potential to spread disease," says Mark Christianson, Christchurch City Council.
Rubbish collectors haven't been able to get through the cordon into the CBD but as the cordon is lifted in the green zone, they are hoping to clear rubbish in the outer areas in the next few days.
The council hopes with the rubbish collection back up and running it will keep the vermin numbers down.
3 News