Beachgoers unaware of the low water quality at Auckland's Takapuna Beach say there should be more signage in the area.
Swimmers say they were unaware of the low water quality. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Surf Lifesaving initially reported raw sewage flowing into the water on Monday prompting them to take down flags and tell people not to swim.
Watercare said tests have since come back negative for human waste, and the beach is rated safe to swim today.
Regular beachgoer Brian did not get the message.
He said he only saw one sign warning people about the water quality and he doesn't think that's good enough.
"We parked at the far end of the beach [so] we didn't see a sign, didn't think it was anything to worry about so we went for a swim," he said.
"It would have been nice if they had signs at all of the major entryways."
Another swimmer, Larissa, agreed.
"It was quite nice until we saw the sign," she said.
Pipes draining into the water at Takapuna beach. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
"I probably wouldn't have gone swimming if I had known about the alert and what the lifeguards had seen yesterday."
Martin Neale from the Auckland Council's water monitoring initiative, Safeswim, said lifeguards at Takapuna Beach were given three signs to put up around the area to warn people about the water quality.
But they're only up when the lifeguards are on duty between midday and seven in the evening.
"We've learnt that those signs are subject to people fiddling with the arrows," he said.
"They appeal to young children ... so we've been clear that if those signs are out they need to be when the beach is being patrolled by so that lifeguards can keep a close eye on them."
Mr Neale said people should check Safeswim website for the latest information, before they head to the beach.
Signs warned of the water quality but there were concerns kids could fiddle with them. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
But he admits there have been problems with the stormwater pipe at Takapuna Beach in the past.
"We know there have been investigations into the discharge of that pipe over the last few years," he said.
"[They've] provided evidence that there's human sewage contamination coming out of that pipe at times."
Mr Neale said the Auckland Council is planning to install a digital sign on Takapuna Beach by the end of January.
It will provide up-to-date information 24/7 about the water quality at the beach.