Hawkes Bay residents warned to avoid Ahuriri Estuary due to high levels of E-coli

Saturday, 8 April 2017

Residents warned to keep out of the water at the Ahuriri Estuary in Napier.

Hawke's Bay residents should avoid E-coli found at Ahuriri Estuary after Napier City officials recently released sewage to cope with heavy rainfall.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council confirmed on Saturday, April 8, that high levels of E-coli were in the water as a result of heavy rainfall and wastewater discharged into the estuary earlier in the week.

A health warning had already been issued after the council advised preliminary water testing indicated high levels of E-coli.

Hawke's Bay District Health Board medical officer of Health Dr Nick Jones said confirmation of E-coli in Ahuriri Estuary meant people needed to continue to heed health official advice and avoid any contact with the water.

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'People should not swim, collect shellfish for eating, or undertake any other water based recreational activities in the area.'

Swimming and water-based activities in contaminated water posed a risk of infections of the stomach, skin, eyes and ears.

Gathering shellfish was never recommended from Ahuriri, but with flows of wastewater into the estuary, risks were likely to be even higher than normal for some time.

Shellfish can take several weeks to clear any contaminants they absorb.

'While the wastewater overflow does not appear to have affected other swimming locations, heavy rain tends to be associated with increased risks from swimming due to run-off generally.

'Standard advice to avoid swimming in all fresh waterways such as lagoons, streams, and rivers for at least three days after heavy rain should be followed,' he said.

Napier City Council chief executive officer Wayne Jack previously explained on Wednesday afternoon that wastewater was released into the inlet after heavy rains overwhelmed the system.

'In order to keep our streets safe from significant sewerage overflow after our 36-hour rain event, Napier City Council made the decision to discharge a small amount of wastewater into the Ahuriri Estuary today,' he said at the time.

'Napier has experienced more rain in one day then it usually would during the entire month of June – traditionally our wettest month of the year – so although our systems are hardy overall, it's been a challenge to keep the network ticking over under these very extreme conditions.'