Kia ora koutou Hapua Thrivers and supporters of safe waterways around Hobson Bay
We hope you and your whānau are keeping safe and well.
Despite years of work sewage continues to be discharged into the waterways around Hobson Bay in all weathers. Please click here for a hot off the press co-designed public health notice from Auckland Regional Public Health Services, Auckland Council and Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei on how to keep safe around the waterways and maps showing the affected areas.
In summary do not go near the water in “red” and within 48 hours of rain. There is a serious risk of illness from having contact with the contaminated water. This includes gastroenteritis, ear, nose, sinus, chest and skin infections as well as risk from waterborne diseases.
Despite COVID challenges please do not hesitate to seek medical help because without treatment these conditions can become more serious and debilitating. There can also be a time delay between coming in contact with contaminated water and symptoms becoming obvious so please let your medical advisers know you have had contact with potentially contaminated water in Hobson Bay or Orakei Basin.
We and others advocated for Te Tinana/Wilsons Beach to become a safe swim site from 1 December 2021 so that at least we can keep updated as to where it can be safe to be in the Bay at times. The water around this particular beach is flushed well out to sea by the tides so can be safe at times.
We believe it is not appropriate for sewage to be discharged into the waterways. Ongoing funded work is being done to eliminate the concentrated and continuous dry weather spills. These discharges should “never happen” as confirmed by Mayor Goff. The funding and timeline to reduce the significant wet weather sewage discharges is uncertain and we believe is not correctly prioritised.
Please share this important information as widely as possible, especially with those who might engage with the water or have four legged friends who might.
Stay safe and happy.