Rains bring public-health danger for swimming areas

MARKED: Three swimming spots at Mahia Beach have been included in public-health warnings.

Heavy rain has resulted in bacterial contamination of many Hawke's Bay waterways, says the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Nicholas Jones said people should avoid going into all freshwater recreational waterways, such as lagoons, streams and rivers, for at least three days after heavy rain. Beaches can also pose a health risk as contaminants are flushed down rivers to the coast.

"The general rule is to check whether you can see your feet when knee-deep in the water, and if it's murky consider another location for swimming," he said.

Three Mahia swimming spots have been pinpointed for health warnings. The public have been advised against swimming at Mahia Beach, Maungawhio Lagoon at Mahia Peninsula and the Te Mahia boat ramp.

Monitoring by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council looks for high levels of E. coli and Enterococci, indicators for excessive amounts of either animal or human faecal matter.

A statement said Hawke's Bay Regional Council science staff were investigating the source of the faecal contaminants at Opoutama.

It said factors other than rainfall may also have contributed to the contamination and other sites in the area were being resampled until results were clear.

The public should avoid swimming at the Mahia sites until further notice.

Previous warning for other Hawke's Bay swimming areas were no longer in place.

Wairoa District Council chief executive Peter Freeman said the high faecal bacteria readings in the Mahia area were a regular occurrence after heavy rain.

"That's why we are spending $13 million," Mr Freeman said.

The Opoutama roading and wastewater project infrastructure was in place and the Mahia scheme was currently being commissioned.

"If there is no change to the faecal contamination after spending all of this money, we will be severely disappointed," he said.

Both schemes went to the Environment Court following community opposition.