Taipā residents warned against swimming, collecting shellfish

Taipā residents and visitors are being advised not to swim or collect shellfish from the bay due to the community’s wastewater treatment plant being overwhelmed by days of heavy rain.

The Taipā Wastewater Treatment Plant is located off Ōruru Road near the Taipā township. It treats wastewater from about 1500 Mangōnui, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay and Taipā properties

High volumes of stormwater from days of heavy rain is causing an overflow from the final pond at the treatment site which has meant treated wastewater has spilled from the pond into the surrounding wetland.

With more rain forecast, it is likely that the resulting surge in stormwater will force the treated wastewater from the Treatment site into Paranui River which runs alongside Ryder Road, before making its way into the marine environment

The National Public Health Service and Northland Regional Council have been notified, and council contractors will erect signage at the beach warning beachgoers of the danger. Signs will remain until regular testing of seawater shows the water has cleared.

You can find more information on Taipā's wastewater treatment plant here.