A permanent health warning has been issued by the Medical Officer of Health for Kaiate falls and stream in Welcome Bay.
Ongoing water monitoring by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council shows high levels of bacterial contamination at Kaiate Falls and stream.
The regional council has done extensive testing of the wider catchment upstream from Kaiate Falls.
No one source has been identified, but the regional council is working with land owners to reduce agricultural sources.
Because of this, Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack has issued a permanent health warning advising against recreational water contact with Kaiate Falls and stream.
"Contamination of recreational water can cause a number of illnesses such as gastroenteritis, a diarrhoea and vomiting illness."