Swim warning over Gisborne waterways after emergency sewage discharge

Gisborne District Council opened emergency sewage discharge valves about 7pm last night and closed them about 7.30am this morning. Health warnings are now in place at Waikanae beach, the Marina and Anzac Park. Photo / Murray Robertson

Tairāwhiti homes on tank supplies, farmers and croppers got the rain they needed to start the week, but it was not such good news for water quality in Gisborne city’s rivers and at Waikanae Beach.

Gisborne District Council (GDC) opened emergency sewage discharge valves into the Turanganui River at the Gladstone Rd bridge and at Oak St into the Taruheru River about 7pm on Monday.

They were closed again at 7.30am today.

“It means the city rivers and Waikanae Beach will be unsafe for bathing and water-based activities for five days,” a council spokesperson said.

GDC has erected health warning signage at Waikanae Beach, the marina and Anzac Park.

The rest of the city beachfront remains unaffected as the discharge only happened over a short timeframe, according to the council.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s what we have to do in periods of extremely heavy rain.

“Fortunately, the timeframe the valves were open was a lot shorter than usual.”

The health warning could not have come at a worse time for the city’s waka ama fraternity, who are two weeks out from competing at the national championships at Lake Karapiro.

“We’re not new to it,” said waka ama spokesman Walton Walker.

“It is a nuisance, and it will affect the final training for our paddlers.

“But they know the health risks, and will take the right precautions, like washing down thoroughly after they paddle.”

Rhythm and Vines festival-goers told the Gisborne Herald that underfoot conditions were muddy, particularly on the walkways, and the carpark paddocks were sticky.

“But hey, it’s R&V,” said one.

“We’re here for the music and the fun times, and it’s only water,” said another.

Four young women suitably clad in their gumboots as they sought food in town told the Gisborne Herald on Tuesday it was “muddy but OK”.

“Music on the first night was fantastic, so we didn’t mind the rain so much.”

As MetService predicted, the heaviest falls over the region were predominantly north of Tolaga Bay.

The council’s Te Puia rainfall monitoring station had recorded 154 millimetres in the previous 24 hours.

East Cape lighthouse measured 210mm, Ruatōria had 151mm and Poroporo received 200mm.

In the city, Gisborne airport measured 106mm, Paraone Rd 75mm, Wheatstone Rd 43mm, Stout St 119mm and Waikanae 85mm.

The average for the whole of December for Gisborne city is 64mm.

Health warning signs have gone up again on the city rivers and at Waikanae after emergency sewage discharges caused by the heavy rain. Photo / Gisborne Herald

The Whareratas south of Gisborne picked up 216mm in the previous 24 hours to 4pm.

Rural areas like Waerenga-o-Kuri saw 122mm, while Wharekopae had 66mm and Ngatapa had 84mm

Closer to Gisborne down the coast, 113mm fell on Pouawa, Ūawa had 101mm and Waimata 131mm.

Around Poverty Bay flats, Cameron Rd had 86mm, while Te Arai received 104mm.