Toxic river still luring bathers, dog owners
The message to stay out of the Hutt River to avoid toxic algae is not reaching everyone.
All the usual swimming and dog-walking spots between Melling and Stokes Valley were quieter than usual on a hot day yesterday morning, but there where still people enjoying the river.
Greater Wellington Regional Council has warned people not to swim in the river to avoid contact with the potentially lethal algae.
Dog owners are being told to keep dogs well away from the river because the algae is fatal for dogs.
Near Fraser Park in Lower Hutt, a young man was swimming in the shallows. He said he was ‘‘checking it out’’ and was aware of the warning.
At Melling Bridge, Mark Reid was walking his son’s dog, Dre. He said Dre was scared of water and never went near the river.
Reid was aware of the warning, and said he would be careful, but he was more concerned about the amount of broken glass.
Sandy Marshall was walking Dilly at the same spot and was aware of the warning to stay away. She would not let Dilly anywhere near the water.
At the popular Taita Rock, which often attracts large crowds in summer, nobody was swimming.
Milika Aukafolau had taken her young brother, Tupou, to the river for a walk. They had been watching a man swimming in the river.
Although she was aware there was algae in the river, she did not know it was a danger to swimmers.
Risha Kumar was with a family group from Tawa collecting rocks for a Christmas hangi. She was aware of the danger that algae posed, and had no plans to go near the water.
The regional council’s latest Facebook warning is headed: ‘‘Toxic algae in the Hutt River, deadly to dogs, harmful to humans.’’
Swimmers are being advised to stay out of the river between Kaitoke and the harbour.