Toi Te Ora Public Health Service is responding to complaints about the water quality at the Puarenga Stream, near Whakarewarewa Village bridge in Rotorua, by saying ‘don't swim there – the water's not great quality'.

Google Earth Image: Puarenga Stream.

Water quality tests conducted there by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Public Health show the recreational water quality grading for this particular site, based on bacterial levels and potential contamination sources in the catchment is ‘poor'.

Public Health medical officer of health Dr Jim Miller says the quality of the water there now is the same as it has been for several years.

Testing also included additional sampling for bacteria and chemicals such as Pentachlorophenol (PCP), in both the water and sediment in the stream.

Results from the testing of stream sediment near the Whakarewarewa Village bridge and the Hemo Gorge did not detect any PCP.

Low levels of arsenic and mercury were detected near the bridge; these chemicals are commonly found in geothermal areas.

Based on these findings, Jim says there is no change to the health warning status of the recreation spot.

'The stream is generally not suitable for swimming, particularly for the very young and those who are currently unwell.”