MEDIA RELEASE
8 December 2003

Swimming Warning Lifted - Wairoa River

Hawke’s Bay’s District Health Board medical officer of Health, Dr Caroline McElnay, today lifted the warning of 3 December, which advised the public not to swim in the Wairoa River due to contamination.

Dr McElnay says that samples taken by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on 3 December has identified that the levels of E. coli in the water has reduced to below the maximum levels recommended in the Ministries of Health and Environments Recreational Water Guidelines.

All surface water should be assessed before swimming by checking the water clarity, evaluating the number of animals and water birds in or near the swimming point.

The safety of water can change rapidly following heavy rain and it is recommended that three days of fine weather should pass before swimming at any river, lagoon or estuary. Extremely heavy rainfall can also make the sea contaminated as well.

“With the current warm weather it may be tempting to “hit” the water, however the Public Health Unit recommends that people phone the Safe Swimming Line for the latest water quality results before they set off for a day in or on the water. The number is (06) 878-1368 and the line is updated regularly with information on sites that are contaminated.

ENDS

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