Swimmers get all-clear for Coopers Beach

Beachgoers can safely return to the water at Coopers Beach after water tests confirmed there is no further danger to swimmers from a sewage leak that closed the popular tourist spot last week.

However, those wishing to collect shellfish will need to wait until 4 December before doing so. As a precaution, it is advised to wait a full 28 days after a spill for any toxins to clear from shellfish.

Far North Waters (FNW) Alliance has been testing seawater samples daily after sewage entered a creek and flowed to the beach on Wednesday 6 November. The leak occurred when a wastewater pipe burst, releasing an unknown quantity of sewage.

FNW contractors stopped and isolated the leak within one hour of the alarm being raised and brought in sucker trucks to remove as much spilled wastewater as possible. However, some untreated wastewater did enter the sea and signs warning beachgoers not to swim or collect shellfish were erected that day. Those signs will remain in place but will be amended today to warn only against shellfish collection.

Tests on water samples taken on Monday showed that toxin levels had returned to near background levels and samples collected on Wednesday 13 November confirmed that. The samples were tested by Ventia’s IANZ accredited laboratory. Northland Regional Council and Te Whatu Ora were notified and regularly updated about the spill.

FNW staff have now replaced a section of the pipe that ruptured.