Health Warning: Kaupokonui, Waingongoro River Mouths and Ohawe Beach

South Taranaki District Council (STDC) regulatory services manager, Chantelle Denton, has today issued a health warning for Kaupokonui and Waingongoro River Mouths and Ohawe Beach.

“Routine sampling by the Taranaki Regional Council has found high levels of Escherichia coli (E.coli) at Kaupokonui and Waingongoro River Mouths and Ohawe Beach. Visitors to these areas should not collect shellfish and plant life or come into contact with the water,” says Chantelle.

“Keep your pets away from the water too as they can also be affected,” she says.

The STDC has erected warning signs at these locations.

Further water samples will be taken tomorrow and the warning signs will be removed when the levels are considered safe.

Chatelle reminds people that the general rule is to not swim after heavy rainfall.

“Heavy rain flushes contaminants from urban and rural land into waterways and we always advise people not to swim in streams/rivers for at least three days after heavy or prolonged rainfall – even if a site usually has good water quality.”