Final health clearance for lake front
A final health clearance has been given for the lake front following July’s wastewater spill after Toi Te Ora Public Health have advised they are happy with monitoring results.
An extensive water quality monitoring programme was carried out following the spill, with samples being taken up to twice daily from up to 25 lake front and Waikato River locations. Following consultations with Toi Te Ora and Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board a lake front clean-up operation was also carried out by council staff combing the lake front to remove any contaminants.
As a precaution monitoring continued after water quality returned to normal and operations manager Kevin Strongman says a final clearance can now be given.
“Our monitoring and clean-up teams have been out in all kinds of weather in the last few weeks to get a really accurate picture of what was going on and to make sure the lake front is clear. While water quality has been back to normal for some time we’ve taken a precautionary approach to giving a final health clearance. We’re more than confident now that we can give a final health clearance,” he said.
The Raahui installed by Ngati Tūwharetoa remains in place and restricts both the collection of food and public access to the work site. The intention of the cultural protocol is to enable the lake to rest and repair itself.