Auckland City Council
Media release
7 January 2010

City beaches test safe for swimmers

Auckland City Council has launched its 11th Safeswim season with 20 of the city’s most popular beaches undergoing water quality testing each week over summer until April.

The weekly sampling around city beaches and the Hauraki Gulf islands of Waiheke and Great Barrier, measures the levels of bacteria in the water that may have the potential to cause illness.

The water is tested every Wednesday when samples are collected using equipment lowered by helicopter.

The council's latest test figures taken on 6 January show "very good water quality and safe swimming" for all beaches.

“Auckland's stunning coastline is an important recreational asset for the people of this city and it is great to see the latest results as strong as ever,’ says Mayor of Auckland City Hon. John Banks.

The council has been working to improve water quality around the city beaches through its stormwater upgrade programme and the Mayor has reinforced his commitment to maintaining safe standards for Aucklanders and visitors to enjoy. One such project is the burying of the Hobson Bay pipeline that will practically eliminate the possibility of overflows into Hobson Bay, Okahu Bay and Mission Bay.

The council is also continuing with its beach re-sanding initiative to improve the environments of various beaches around Auckland. Beaches due for upgrades in the next year include Pt England and Judges Bay.

Stormwater and sewage overflows, caused by occasional heavy rain, is the likely cause of higher levels of bacteria found in the past. It is recommended people do not swim for 48 hours after heavy rainfall and stay away from stormwater outlets.

The Council has set short and long term targets for further reducing the number and frequency of sewer overflows across the city, including a 35 per cent reduction in overflow volume by 2012, with a focus on the combined sewers and bathing beach areas.

“Clean, safe water is vital to our reputation as an environmentally friendly, world-class harbour city,” says Mayor Banks.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/safeswim for more information on the Safeswim programme or if you wish to subscribe to receive weekly email results.

Notes:

The 'Result' column shows the enterococci level (enterococci/100ml).
-MPN = Most probable number of enterococci
-10 MPN is the lowest probable result attainable and means very high quality water and safe swimming Each of the below results highlights very good water quality and safe swimming.

-A beach is only considered unsafe for swimming once figures reach a level beyond 280 MPN/100ml.

Date Beach Result Status

6/01/2010 Pt Chevalier < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Herne Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Home Bay 31 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Judges Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Okahu Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Mission Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Kohimarama Beach < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 St Heliers Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Ladies Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Point England < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Grannys Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Waikowhai Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Blockhouse Bay < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Oneroa Beach < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Surfdale Beach 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Palm Beach < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Onetangi < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Okupu Beach < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Pah Beach < 10 MPN/100ml Safe
6/01/2010 Mulberry Grove 85 MPN/100ml Safe

ENDS

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