Gisborne beaches unsafe to swim in, thousands expected for ...
“Recent heavy rainfall has overwhelmed the city’s wastewater system, resulting in contamination in the Taruheru and Turanganui rivers, which flow into the city’s beaches,” SLSNZ said.
Contact with contaminated water poses serious health risks, it said.
It also said all patrolled beaches in the area — including Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae and Midway — are showing a red water-quality alert. This means it is not safe to swim due to the contamination.
In addition to this, surfers are advised to avoid beaches due to the extreme weather.
“Surf conditions feature large swells and strong winds, making the water particularly hazardous,” it said.
Beachgoers are advised that lifeguards will be actively engaging with the public at these beaches to communicate potential risks and offer safety advice.
While surf and weather conditions are forecast to improve in the coming days, coinciding with the arrival of festival-goers for Rhythm and Vines, water quality notices will remain in effect.
This year the line-up boasts several high-profile international acts, from Princess Diana rapper Ice Spice to Aussie EDM duo Peking Duk and electronic rockers Pendulum.
Some 20,000 festival-goers are set to descend on Gisborne in the coming days to welcome in the new year.
SLSNZ advises festival goers and all members of the public to stay out of the water to avoid the risk of illness.
Gisborne District Council is monitoring the situation and will provide updates to water quality notices five days after the wastewater overflow is turned off.
“Your safety is our priority. Please adhere to all advice and precautions to protect yourself, your whānau and your community,” SLSNZ said.
More than a month’s worth of rain fell on Boxing Day in Gisborne in what was a record for the wettest December there since records were taken in 1937.
A MetService spokesman told the Gisborne Herald on Friday that the rainfall on Thursday pushed the city’s December rainfall total to 206.9mm. The previous record was 204mm, set in 1954.
Gisborne had the best weather in the country on Christmas Day at 28C but a day later was enduring conditions among the worst as a deluge arrived from the north, followed by a dose from the south.
It resulted in significant rainfall figures for Gisborne city and other areas of Tairāwhiti.
Boxing Day rainfall at the airport amounted to 89.4mm.
Gisborne city received substantial falls that caused surface flooding in some streets.
Swimming hazards in other regions:The following waterways/beaches have been deemed unsuitable for swimming according to the Safeswim website:
The Safeswim website also outlines other potentially dangerous beaches across the country.
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