Public asked to tread with caution

As a precaution people should avoid swimming in rivers, streams and harbour areas for 48 hours after heavy rainfall events. Supplied photo.

Those thinking of taking a dip to cool off in the summer heat are being warned to tread with caution, as contaminated recreational water raises potential health risks.

'If you swim in or drink contaminated water, you risk getting sick,” says Toi Te Ora Public Health Service medical officer of health, Dr Phil Shoemack.

'Illnesses you can catch include a tummy bug, a sore throat or skin infection. After heavy rain water is likely to be contaminated with animal faeces from rural and urban run-off.

'As a precaution people should avoid swimming in rivers, streams and harbour areas for 48 hours after heavy rainfall events.”

What action to take:

Avoid swimming for at least 48 hours after heavy or prolonged rain.

At any time if you notice the water in your local lake, river, harbour, estuary or beach is murky or has a musty smell, go somewhere else.

'Our regional and district/city councils keep a close eye on the quality of our bathing spots. They test the water regularly.

'If a recreational water site is found to be significantly contaminated, with risk to public health, Toi Te Ora Public Health informs the public by issuing a health warning and the local council erects warning signs.”

Up-to-date information on health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts is available online at Toi Te Ora's website, on Facebook, Twitter or call 0800 221 555.

Alternatively members of public can also sign up to receive email alerts.

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4 comments

Bull

Posted on 10-01-2018 09:01 | By maildrop

100% pure. Paradise. Clean green NZ. Gods country. Nothing to see here.


Is this

Posted on 10-01-2018 12:10 | By overit

the worst contaminated stream around here?


i have

Posted on 10-01-2018 16:50 | By Capt_Kaveman

not swam in the harbour for 20 years and never will again as i know what goes into it


Contaminated stream !!!!

Posted on 10-01-2018 22:51 | By The Caveman

That little creek would have to be and HAS been one of the most contaminated creeks in the whole BOP. 40 years ago the "waste water" from the Hospital flowed into the creek. Have a look at Google Maps and you can still see the original "waste ponds" across the creek from Birch Avenue. The waste / sludge run off from the original Tauranga Tip (called a land fill these days) on Cambridge Road - now the home of the Tauranga MTB & BMX Park !, and then there was the meat processing works at the end of Chadwick Rd that poured its waste into the swamp at the bottom of the hill, that then flowed into the creek - and ALL of that stuff flowed out into the harbour................


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