Opinion: Bay of Plenty waterways picturesque, but quality poor

The Wairoa River area below McLaren Falls is unsuitable for swimming, according to tests. Photo / File

We live in a region that boasts amazing waterways in stunning locations that are picture perfect.

They are ideal spots to enjoy a day out, especially in the warmer months, and to cool off.

If only the water quality matched how they looked.

The National Water Quality trends report, led by the Cawthron Institute Freshwater Group, has been released revealing the Mount Main Beach is suitable for swimming - as is the main beach at Fergusson Park in Matua and Rangataua Bay in front of the marae.

Great news, yes?

But it's not the case for other popular areas around Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.

Swimmers have been advised to be cautious at the family-friendly Mount Maunganui swimming spot of Pilot Bay, where analysis grades the overall bacterial risk there as medium.

The caution advisory means the site is usually suitable for swimming but younger children and older people may be at increased risk at times and is applicable also to the Waimapu Estuary in front of the Silver Birch motor camp.

The Wairoa River area below McLaren Falls remains unsuitable for swimming, according to the testing, and people are also urged to continue to steer clear of the other regular black spot, Welcome Bay's Kaiate Stream at Kaiate Falls.

This is an area which attracts visitors wanting to take in the scenery. It's also an area where I have seen, on many occasions over the summer, people of all ages ignoring water-quality warnings.

Warnings are in place for a reason and should be followed. People who blatantly ignore them are putting their own health at risk, which isn't something to mess with.

I hope one day water quality improves for all waterways in the future - so we can enjoy these stunning areas in all their glory but until then you can guarantee walking in the areas will be how I enjoy them.