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Dozens of Auckland beaches have been deemed unsafe for those wanting to take a dip today after recent heavy rains.
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Fifty beaches in the region were deemed impossible to swim today due to pollution. Source: 1 NEWS
According to the Auckland Council Safeswim website, the beaches around the suburbs of Howick and Bucklands Beach, St Heliers, and the beaches around Titirangi and Blockhouse Bay are not safe for swimming because there is a “high risk of illness from swimming”.
Parts of the Hibiscus Coast were also deemed unsafe for swimming.
Several long-term alerts remain, including in Titirangi Beach, Green Bay, and Cox’s Bay. This means that these points are constantly failing to meet national guidelines.
Alerts are classified as red alerts, which are triggered by enterococci in the water. The bacterium is common in animal and human feces, and ends up in the water through animal and bird droppings, or stormwater runoff and sewage discharges.
Auckland has been hit by heavy downpours in recent days.
A red alert indicates that there is more than a 2 percent chance that someone will get sick from swimming in water.
National environmental spokesman Scott Simpson said the “ongoing state of pollution” of Auckland’s beaches was “unacceptable”.
“The fact that as many as one in 10 people who swim on Auckland’s popular beaches are likely to get sick highlights how polluted those beaches are,” Simpson said.
“The sad thing is that people are missing the opportunity to swim during the peak summer vacation season once again.”
He called on Parliament’s Environment Selection Committee to carry out a formal inquiry into the state of Auckland’s beaches.
Service Minister Andrew Little told 1 NEWS that the government has programs to address water quality problems.
“We know that our beaches and rivers have been degraded over many decades. Ecosystems have suffered as a result of urban development, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and other human activities.
“This is why the government is taking steps to restore and protect the health of New Zealand’s water systems, including improving water quality at swimming spots and working to protect urban and rural streams, and accelerate the pace of work for New Zealanders – our Jobs for Nature fund, “says Little.
He then outlined in more detail the recent steps the government has taken.
“In August we passed legislation to create Taumata Arowai, the water services regulator.
“Taumata Arowai will supervise and advise on the regulation, management and environmental performance of the sewage and storm water networks.
“We also have the Essential Freshwater work program to reverse past damage and bring freshwater resources, waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.”
