Sewerage Overflow-Napier Inner Harbour

MEDIA RELEASE

23 January 2004

Sewerage Overflow-Napier Inner Harbour: No Swimming, Collecting of Shellfish.

Hawke's Bay District Health Board advises the public not to swim, undertake other water contact recreational activities, or collect shellfish for consumption, in the area of the Napier Inner Harbour, Pandora Pond, Hardinge Road area (between Perfume Point and the Port of Napier), or Westshore Beach due to an overflow of sewerage that has occurred in the Inner Harbour.

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council have undertaken water sampling in and around the above area, and further samples will be undertaken. The Napier City Council have stopped the discharge, are investigating causes, and undertaking on-going clean up where necessary.

Medical Officer of Health , Dr. Lester Calder, advises that until sampling shows that levels of contamination have dropped to safe recreational swimming limits people should definitely avoid any recreational water activities around these areas.

“Swimming in sewerage contaminated water poses a risk of infections of the stomach, skin, eyes and ears,” he said.

Warning signs are being erected around the area by the Public Health Unit, and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

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