Swimming in the water in the meantime risks contact with bacteria and other pathogens, said Dr Imogen Evans, public health medicine specialist for the National Public Health Service.
Four Canterbury bays have been closed under a sewage contamination health warning. Image / Health New Zealand
“Water contaminated by human matter may contain a range of disease-carrying micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.”
Residents should also avoid eating shellfish harvested at the bays and must gut and wash fish in clean water before consumption.