Beaches on no-swim list

West Auckland has the most dirtiest swimming spots in the region, according to Auckland Council’s water quality monitoring system Swimsafe.

There are 16 blacklisted spots in Auckland, half of them out west.

North Piha Lagoon, Laingholm Beach, Fosters Bay and Armour Bay in Huia, Piha Lagoon, Te Henga (Bethells) Lagoon, Titirangi Beach and Wood Bay are all labelled ‘‘not safe for swimming’’ because of poor water quality.

However, French Bay, Cornwallis Beach, Huia Beach, Karekare Beach, Piha South Beach and Piha North Beach, Bethells Beach and Lake Wainamu had the green light for swimming.

There were three blacklisted spots in central Auckland, two out south and one each on Waiheke Island and the North Shore.

Green Bay in New Lynn did not make the blacklist but was also listed as a no-swim zone on Swimsafe.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff said the quality of water in the beaches needed to be lifted.

Swimsafe was a step into that direction, giving Aucklanders information on where and when to swim, he said.

The council had also made a $6 billion investment with Watercare over the next 20 years to improve water infrastructure.

Watercare’s chief executive, Raveen Jaduram, said Auckland’s beaches and harbours were clean most of the time.

‘‘But in heavy rain, water can find its way into the wastewater network causing overflows.’’

Swimsafe monitors more than 75 Auckland beaches.