A swimming warming is now in place for the Maraetotara Lagoon, Te Awanga following water sample results this morning confirming high E.coli levels of over four times above safe swimming guidelines.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Medical Officer of Health, Dr Nicholas Jones, said Hastings District Council was putting up signage in the area and the DHB was continuing to working with them to understand what might be contributing to the elevated levels.

“Regular water sampling and monitoring will continue and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will also investigate the source of the contamination.”

Dr Jones urged people to take notice of the warnings and avoid swimming in the lagoon until further notice.

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