City beaches test safe for swimmers

The Auckland City Council says water quality at all its beaches has tested safe for swimming but it has instructed its wastewater utility to make more detailed reports on pollution levels.

Mayor John Banks said yesterday that the city's beaches scored well for water cleanliness.

Ratepayers had made a significant investment in improving stormwater and sewerage in the past decade to "practically eliminate dangerous overflows on toa number of eastern beaches".

The council's latest test figures show "very good water quality and safe swimming" for all beaches.

Herne Bay Beach had the highest reading of the weekly tests at 20 beaches around the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island.

However, Herne Bay's level of the type of bacteria which indicate sewage contamination was seven times below the level at which the council would close a beach until repeat tests showed it was clear.

The Consumers Institute has criticised three councils in the region for not using a five-grade ranking system like Manukau's, which reflects tests over some years.

All North Shore beaches have tested safe for swimmers.

In Waitakere City, readings for the lagoon at Bethells-Te Henga have prompted warnings not to swim there. Further testing is expected today. Manukau City beaches have the all-clear except Weymouth and Kawakawa Bay, where closed beach warning signs are a permanent fixture.