Owhiro Bay Reopens - Water Quality Judged Safe

Owhiro Bay Beach has reopened today after water-quality testing has established that the pollution that closed the beach last week has dissipated.

Wellington City Council erected ‘beach closed' signs last Friday and urged people to stay clear of the water after routine water-quality monitoring found that the presence of enterococci – an indicator of microbiological pollution, including sewage – was at a level likely to cause a health hazard.

Daily water-quality sampling has since found that the levels have rapidly returned to safe levels.

The Council closed the beach last Friday – and reopened it today - following consultation with Regional Public Health staff.

City Council Infrastructure Planning Manager Maria Archer says the source of the contamination was proving elusive. Council engineers were continuing to check sewer mains and other infrastructure in the area to check for leaks.