Dial Safe Swim before you dip

From City Scene, published on 2 December, 2007

Safety first: Check the water quality at your favourite Auckland city beach before you leave home this summer with Safe Swim,

The Safe Swim service allows you to check the water quality of 20 beaches across Auckland before you leave home. You can visit the website or phone 0800 723 379 to get weekly updates on bacterial levels at beaches around Auckland city, Waiheke and Great Barrier islands. Auckland City Council's environmental health manager, Chris Dee, says the programme monitors enteroccoci bacteria levels, an indicator of faecal material that potentially can cause illness such as mild diarrhoea or respiratory infections.

Where tests show a beach with high levels of enterococci, warning signs are erected advising people not to take part in swimming and other water activities, and the water is retested until results become clear.

Mr Dee says people need to be aware of stormwater issues that affect water quality at our beaches, such as overflow caused by heavy rainfall. It is advisable to avoid swimming spots for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.

Testing takes place every Wednesday, with results available every Friday until 23 April.