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Summarised by Centrist
Most Auckland beaches were declared unsafe for swimming after rainfall triggered wastewater overflows across the region, raising a stink that is no longer unusual but routine.
By Friday midday, Auckland Council’s Safeswim tool showed 22 beaches were under the highest ‘do not swim’ warning, including Mission Bay, St Heliers, Kohimarama, Herne Bay and Narrow Neck.
Other popular beaches such as Takapuna, Point Chevalier, Okahu Bay and Cheltenham were also marked as unsafe or not advised for swimming.
“A wastewater overflow has been detected in the area. Do not swim here as untreated wastewater may be present,” notices posted at affected beaches said.
The warnings were issued after rainfall overwhelmed parts of Auckland’s wastewater network, forcing sewage into stormwater systems that discharge into coastal waters. The scale of the closures reveals how quickly the system reaches capacity.
Holly Foreman, principal of Safeswim, told reporters that water quality is expected to recover within 48 hours. She said beaches respond differently depending on rainfall, catchment size, land characteristics and flushing rates.
The reassurances, however, sit alongside an uncomfortable reality. Even modest weather events continue to trigger sewage discharges into some of the country’s most popular public spaces at the height of summer.
As Auckland’s population has grown, pressure on ageing wastewater and stormwater infrastructure has increased, while upgrades have lagged behind demand.
For beachgoers, the advice remains to check Safeswim warnings and stay out of the water.
