Choose the best swimming spots this summer by visiting safeswim.org.nz (from early November) to check water quality at 84 Auckland beaches.
As well as advice about water quality, Safeswim will also provide real-time information about other health and safety risks, such as dangerous wave and wind conditions, strong currents, stinging jellyfish and shark sightings.
Safeswim monitoring will also make more detailed information available about problem areas, so that we can identify the critical work that needs to be done to keep our rivers and harbours clean.
Visit safeswim.org.nz from early November.
Auckland Council makes water quality a priority
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has reiterated the need to take a more comprehensive approach to improving Auckland’s water quality.
Read more about Auckland Council’s approach to water at Newsroom
At a meeting of the council’s Environment and Community Committee on 12 September, the mayor highlighted the urgency of addressing wastewater and building infrastructure.
“Our vision is for a clean, green city which properly addresses the disposal of wastewater, improves the health of our streams and harbours and reduces waste streams such as plastic bags,” he said.
“While wastewater overflows into our harbours go back more than a century, the current state of Auckland’s water is no longer acceptable in 21st century Auckland.
“Upgrading and building our water infrastructure is a top priority for this council and the council group for the next decade,” says Mayor Goff.
Penny Hulse leads water programme
Committee Chair Councillor Penny Hulse is leading a programme that encompasses the council group and partners to develop a coordinated approach for water-related projects across the Auckland region.
“The current issues we face with wastewater overflows and the quality of our harbours are not new – but they are not something we should accept as status quo,” she said.
“They are also not just about infrastructure – stormwater pipes and suchlike – but about how all of our water workstreams work together in an integrated and complementary way.”
Strategic approach
The strategic approach will look at drinking water, wastewater, estuarine and marine environments, stormwater, natural waterbodies, groundwater and aquifers. It will also consider the policy, infrastructure and investment, regulatory requirements, community involvement and research required to manage these areas.
