Sewage leak closes popular Waiheke Island beach ahead of long weekend

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Palm Beach on Auckland's Waiheke Island has been closed due to a sewage leak.

A popular Waiheke Island beach has been closed ahead of Labour weekend due to potential sewage contamination.

Public health warning signs were erected at Palm Beach on Thursday to warn beachgoers of 'poor' water quality.

Auckland Council's team manager compliance monitoring Chris Rawlings said effluent was being discharged into a watercourse from a failing wastewater system.

'Given the proximity of the site to the beach (within 600m) and the high ammonia readings at the point of discharge, we have decided to test the water quality at the beach to ensure there is no potential health risk for the public over the long weekend,' Rawlings told Stuff.

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Remedial works had been undertaken to fix the leak and stop the discharge and warning signs were put up as a 'precaution', Rawlings said.

Water samples from the beach have been collected and sent off for testing on Thursday, the results of which would be back by Friday afternoon, he said.

In the meantime, swimming and water activities were not advised, and patrons were told to avoid collecting shellfish or other seafood, the signs stated.

'We will reassess the situation tomorrow once we have received the results, with the hope of being able to remove the signs for the long weekend,' Rawlings said.