Surf lifesavers patrolling Red Beach on Saturday, February 22 had to bring in their flags after Safeswim Auckland reported hazardous water quality at 1pm.
This led to lifeguards completing 30 “preventative actions” warning public of the hazard.
Auckland Council’s Safeswim programme manager, Nick Vigar, says the problem arose after rainfall of around 7mm.
Last year 15 issues were identified in the public wastewater and stormwater networks at Red Beach, most of which Mr Vigar says have now been resolved.
Council’s compliance team is currently working with around 18 property owners, where private drainage issues were found.
“A programme of resampling the stormwater outlets and Red Beach water quality will take place over the next three to six months,” Mr Vigar says.
“If these show that water quality has improved this will allow a new Safeswim model to be built, based on the new data, which should be in place by next summer.”
Volunteer lifeguards will continue patrols at Red Beach every weekend until Easter.
