Public health warning at North Shore's Browns Bay due to E coli levels

Thursday, 17 October 2019

Dolphins play near paddle boarders on October 2 at Browns Bay in Auckland.

Swimmers have been told to avoid a popular Auckland swimming spot due to high E coli levels.

Auckland Council and Watercare placed a temporary public health warning at Browns Bay, on Auckland's North Shore, on Thursday afternoon.

Water samples taken at the stormwater outlet near the beach revealed elevated levels of E coli, making the beach unsafe for swimming.

A temporary public health warning has been placed on Browns Bay.

People were advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

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'Watercare will repair this damaged section next week and at the same time Auckland Council will continue to investigate any illegal wastewater cross-connections to the stormwater network,' Anin Nama, Watercare's network efficiency manager, said.

'We will keep you informed of this work and outcomes, as it progresses.'

As the swimming season is approaching, both Auckland Council Healthy Waters and Watercare were working together to fix the issue as soon as possible, Nick Vigar, Auckland Council Safeswim programme manager said.

A black pin is now being displayed on the Safeswim website and will be there until further notice to indicate the risk at the beach.