Some people are continuing to swim at a popular Auckland beach, unaware of the fact it might have been contaminated by wastewater.
With a major wastewater pipe blocked by a sinkhole in central Auckland, waste has been overflowing into the Waitematā Harbour for more than a week.
As a result, Safeswim issued black pins for 24 Auckland beaches. A black pin means water may have been affected by a wastewater overflow.
Advice from Auckland Regional Public Health said people should stay out of the water at impacted beaches.
"Stay up to date with information on Safeswim, and keep yourself, children and any pets away from contaminated areas," the advice reads.
"If swallowed, contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis. In most cases, people will recover from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea without having to seek medical treatment."
Workers are getting ready to construct the biggest sewage bypass the country’s ever seen to get around it. (Source: 1News)
One week on from the sinkhole, 1News visited black-pinned Mission Bay to ask people if they were aware of the risk and to get their thoughts on how the situation had been handled.
There were about 10 people in the water, including small children, unaware of the potential health risks.
"How terrible, we're here on holiday from Australia so these guys are just taking some of our nieces, nephews around just to have a look at Mission Bay that's polluted now, how sad," one beachgoer said.
There was only one sign posted in the sand, far down the southern end and facing away from where people could see it.
"Some signs would be good, especially down here with her eating the sand, it's not a great one is it, would have been good to be aware of," the beachgoer added.
There was one local going for a walk along the beach telling people about the wastewater overflow, unhappy about the one sign.
1News' Isaac Gunson explains what causes sinkholes to from. (Source: 1News)
"It's sideways, people can't see it. There's only one which is a shame."
Auckland Council head of planning (Healthy Waters) Nicholas Vigar said it's been working with Watercare and Safeswim to ensure people are aware of the potential health risks, including implementing warning signs at 20 beaches.
"As soon as the Safeswim team were made aware of the sewer blockage and wastewater discharges to the Waitematā Harbour, all the beaches within the harbour were immediately issued with precautionary black water quality alerts," Vigar said.
"Auckland Council and Watercare also issued physical signs at approximately 20 popular beaches and wharves — including 4-5 signs at Mission Bay. These are no longer standing, likely due to the extremely high winds we have recently been exposed to. We have ordered replacement signs which are due to be delivered tomorrow and will be reinstated as soon as possible."
Back at the sinkhole site, crews are working 24/7 to construct the bypass which will run under the road before going above ground, running through Parnell's Alberon Park. The first 400 metres of the temporary pipe have already been installed.
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