The worst beaches in West Auckland
Before you get tempted to take a dip at some West Auckland beach this summer, reconsider.
West Auckland had the most dirtiest swimming spots in the region, according to Auckland Council’s water quality monitoring system Swimsafe.
Of the 16 blacklisted spots in Auckland, half of them were 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 were all recommended ‘not safe for swimming’ because of poor water quality.
But, don’t lose hope just yet – there were still eight beaches out west that people could enjoy during the summer.
Head down to French Bay, Cornwallis Beach, Huia Beach, Karekare Beach, Piha South Beach and Piha North Beach, Bethells Beach and Lake Wainamu for your summer swims.
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 our
‘‘We enjoy a fantastic environment marked by its natural beauty, but we need to do more to lift the quality of water at our beaches’’
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.
‘‘Our beaches, harbours and islands are the jewel in the crown of Auckland,’’ Goff said.
‘‘We enjoy a fantastic environment marked by its natural beauty, but we need to do more to lift the quality of water at our beaches.’’
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 monitored more than 75 Auckland beaches.