TRC had intended to take further samples from both beaches on Friday, but that was cancelled due to the tsunami alert. However, council officers did obtain samples from Herekawe Stream, which discharges at Back Beach, as well as stormwater and effluent discharges on to Ngāmotu Beach. Results were ordinary and did not show any pollution events, Bedford said. Scheduled monitoring and also an extended programme of sampling of both beaches took place Tuesday, March 9 and results are due on Thursday afternoon . Council officers have also been conducting visual surveys and extra inspections around the harbour and Back Beach area.
SIMON O CONNOR/Stuff
The signs at Back Beach will be removed as it is now safe to swim, but investigations are underway.
The Taranaki Regional Council has launched an investigation into the water quality at New Plymouth’s Back Beach following test results showing “unusually” high levels of bacteria. Standard tests on Friday, February 26 showed Back Beach’s levels of enterococci in the water were a massive 12,000 nos/100ml. The acceptable limit is 280nos/100ml. The result was not only 42 times higher than the acceptable limit, it was 461 times higher than the 26nos/100ml result the beach usually returns. On Thursday, results from tests taken on Monday showed the level was back to the acceptable level of 280nos/100ml, which meant the beach was safe to swim at again.