Downpour pulls dirty trick on Waingaro Hot Springs

Gemini Pehi at the edge of what is supposed to be a swimming pool. Picture / Amos Chapple

Dozens of bathers had to flee Waingaro Hot Springs yesterday as torrential rain caused severe flooding.

"The place itself was devastated by brown water," said Raglan resident Kim Griggs, who was enjoying a leisurely time at the springs, near Ngaruawahia, with her family when she noticed murky brown water trickling in about 3pm.

"They told us to move out, and by the time we'd packed up our bags and walked out of the complex all this brown water was pouring into the pools."

The water came in through the carpark, down a set of steps and into the pools.

A spokesman for the springs said the water started receding when the rain stopped about 4.30pm.

The pools suffered no structural damage but they would have to be emptied and cleaned. He hoped the springs would re-open by the end of the week.