Permanent Health Warning Issued for Kaiate Falls and Stream 19 May 2015

A permanent health warning has been issued by the Medical Officer of Health for Kaiate falls and stream in Welcome Bay.

A permanent health warning has been issued by the Medical Officer of Health for Kaiate falls and stream in Welcome Bay.

Ongoing water monitoring by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council shows high levels of bacterial contamination at Kaiate falls and stream. The Regional Council has done extensive testing of the wider catchment upstream from Kaiate Falls. No one source has been identified, but the Regional Council is working with land owners to reduce agricultural sources.

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack, has therefore issued a permanent health warning advising against recreational water contact with Kaiate falls and stream. "Contamination of recreational water can cause a number of illnesses such as gastroenteritis, a diarrhoea and vomiting illness," says Dr Shoemack.

The public can obtain up-to-date information on this health warning and others for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts through these channels: