Much of the Miramar Peninsula is designated as “caution advised” for swimming.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little (left) swims in Lyall Bay after announcing the lifting of a swimming ban. Photo / Mark Papalii, RNZ
There was rain in Wellington overnight.
It was common practice for Lawa to suggest people not to swim in areas near rural or urban land for two to three days after prolonged rain.
Little said at the announcement he advised residents to check the website before swimming and follow the advice on it.
“I do want to be clear: a risk remains, but monitoring results so far show that it is low and it is now up to people to decide how they respond to the current information.”
When contacted on Friday, to ask about the latest development, Little said that as stated on Wednesday, conditions could change rapidly.
“My message has been to check the LAWA website before swimming, and I encourage everyone to follow the advice on it.
“When conditions change the information on the LAWA website changes, and that is what has happened here. Advice about swimming on the south coast has been updated after a prolonged period of rain in Wellington overnight. The standard advice from LAWA to not enter the water during rainfall, or after rain for 48 hours remains.”
Little said the latest updates on LAWA’s website showed that the system of letting people know when it was safe to swim was working.
“I am perfectly healthy after my swim. My swim occurred when the LAWA website showed it was safe to do so.
“Public health officials strongly advise against gathering shellfish or kaimoana from the south coast area. Shellfish can be contaminated for weeks after exposure to sewage and eating the contaminated shellfish could make you sick.”
– RNZ