Warning Signs at Te Henui Stream

Signs will be installed at Te Henui Stream’s mouth next week to warn against collecting shellfish or swimming.

Monitoring by Taranaki Regional Council has found the bacteria count in the stream’s water exceeds bathing water quality standards.

“Given these results, it is appropriate that the Taranaki District Health Board takes appropriate steps to inform the public of the potential risk to health,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Greg Simmons.

The signs will go up at the stream's mouth to advise against bathing and gathering shellfish there, and will also be displayed at swimming holes along the stream during summer. 

“It is important that the public understand that sampling of bathing sites at East End Beach has shown the beach is safe, with bacterial counts at safe levels for swimming,” says Dr Simmons.

TRC’s monitoring at the stream’s mouth has found cows and birds are a significant source of bacteria, and also detected bacteria of human origin.

Says TRC Director – Environment Quality Gary Bedford: “The equation is simple: If people stopped feeding the ducks and gulls, the water quality would be much better.”

Meanwhile NPDC has been investigating the source of the human contamination, which was intermittent and at much lower levels than the bird contamination.

“Finding the contamination source of the human bacteria is a detailed process and we’re looking closely at all possibilities,” says NPDC Manager Water and Wastes Mark Hall.

NPDC’s investigation has found no overflows into the stream from wastewater pump stations. A CCTV inspection of the Te Henui sewer line has so far shown the sewer is in good condition.

“On the evidence so far, the source might be individual properties rather than the public sewer system,” he says.

A review of the location of septic tanks in the urban part of Te Henui catchment has identified a small number of high-risk sites where tanks are close to the stream. These sites will be inspected to see if any leaks are occurring.

“Our next step is for both district and regional council staff to walk the catchment area when the stream is in low-flow but the groundwater levels are high, to look for possible contamination sources entering the stream and take more water samples,” says Mr Hall.

“What happens after this will depend on the results we get.”