Health Warning Lifted at Pilot Bay

Health Warning Lifted at Pilot Bay

A health warning (Friday 26 January) advising people to avoid recreational use at Pilot Bay has been lifted.

The results of routine water monitoring carried out last week by Environment Bay of Plenty confirmed high levels of bacterial contamination in Pilot Bay. Follow up tests show levels have dropped below the health warning level.

“Tauranga City Council engineering staff will continue to look for the source of the problem,” says Bay of Plenty and Lakes Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack. “Because only Pilot Bay samples showed high levels of contamination, it’s likely there is a very localised source of the problem somewhere near Pilot Bay itself.”

This faecal contamination could arise from human and animal presence in the catchment of local rivers and around the shores of Tauranga Harbour, particularly after heavy rainfall. Such contamination of recreational water can cause a number of infections such as gastro-enteritis caused by E coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. There is also the risk of getting an ear infection, respiratory illness and skin infections.

ENDS

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