Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Toi Te Ora Public Health are advising people not to swim in the Puarenga Stream after water testing showed it home to faecal contamination.

The council's investigation was conducted following a complaint by a member of the public.

Puarenga Stream: Google Earth.

Results show the faecal bacteria contamination comes from livestock, seagulls, waterfowl and people.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council group manager water management Eddie Grogan says this result is not unexpected given the land uses within the stream's catchment.

'We have been testing for a number of contaminants during the past two months, these results have shown that concern for the water quality of the stream is justified and that there are a number of contributing factors which may be influencing this outcome,” says Eddie.

Toi Te Ora Public Health's advice is that the stream water quality grading is poor and is generally not suitable for swimming; particularly for the very young and those who are unwell. All people should avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.

'The results we have received show bacterial levels are elevated in some locations along the stream including Tureporepo and Kauaka,” says Eddie.

'New techniques have been used to assess the sources of the bacteria and have shown the presence of faecal contamination from livestock, seagulls, waterfowl and human sources.

'There are a range of activities in the catchment which could be contributing bacteria including farmland, landfills, waste irrigation schemes, failing septic tanks or even recreational forest users ‘caught short' near the stream.”

This testing is just one part of the regional council's overall investigation into the water quality of the Puarenga Stream.

'Bacterial contamination has been the main focus of the investigation, but we will continue to monitor for other contaminants,” says Eddie.

'The next stage in the investigation will pull all of the information gathered together in the context of catchment activities.

'An examination of contaminant generation within the catchment, including that from consented activities, will also be made.”

The next report is due in a few months' time.