Aerial photo of beach front houses at Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland. Photograph by Brett Phibbs
Aerial photo of beach front houses at Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland. Photograph by Brett Phibbs
Auckland's beaches had an improved bill of health last summer, according to the latest report from Auckland Council's Safeswim beach water quality monitoring programme.
The programme monitors water quality at 69 sites, taking samples once a week. According to the report, 92 per cent of 1401 water samples taken atAuckland's beaches for the summer period November to March met health guidelines.
Safeswim beaches and freshwater sites are selected for monitoring on the basis of their usage and history. Where issues are identified, health warning signs are promptly erected and re-tests are done; the signs remain up until the water is shown to be safe.
Last summer, the total number of days that warning signs stayed up reduced by 23 per cent, compared to the previous 2012-2013 swim season.
"This report is a reminder about the water quality improvements Auckland has made," says Wayne Walker, chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Natural Heritage committee.
