1000 days ago

Woman's 'nasty' skin infection likely caused by swimming at contaminated beach

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Kia ora neighbours.
A woman who likely got a “nasty” skin infection during a swim at Narrowneck Beach believes it is “unacceptable” that people cannot go swimming without fear of getting sick.

Devonport resident Vanessa Ingraham developed a staph and e coli infection on her legs about four weeks ago. Her doctor believes she caught it from swimming not long after shaving her legs.

Ingraham, who moved to New Zealand from the Bahamas seven years ago, said she didn’t know about Auckland’s storm water issues until she got her infection.

During heavy rain, water contaminated with animal faeces, oil, rubbish, metals and rubber from tyres is often flushed through the storm water network and onto beaches, a Watercare spokeswoman said.

Auckland’s wastewater network is also known to overflow during heavy rain, which causes sewage to spill out from manholes, gully traps, pump stations and engineered overflow points into properties, waterways and the sea.

Auckland Council’s Swimsafe website, which provides real-time forecasts of beach water quality, recommends people avoid swimming for 48 hours following heavy rainfall.

“You have to check to see if it’s safe to swim? This is a foreign concept,” Ingraham said.

Click 'read more' for the full story, including info from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Does the building consent process need to change?
  • 91.4% Yes
    91.4% Complete
  • 8.3% No
    8.3% Complete
  • 0.3% Other - I'll share below!
    0.3% Complete
993 votes
5 days ago

Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk now open!

John Gillon from John Gillon - Kaipatiki Local Board

NEWSFLASH: The wait is over and the Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk is NOW OPEN to the public! Check it out!

And please join us for our official opening/celebration in a couple of weeks!
➡️ When: 12pm Sunday 28 April
➡️ Where: Kauri Glen Road entrance to Kauri Glen Reserve
➡️ Facebook event: www.facebook.com...
Free BBQ! Walk the new track!

This is a new step-free route between Kauri Glen Road and Tui Glen Road, with a refurbished track (including steps) to Raymond Terrace. The new bridge is around 6 storeys high with a very impressive view of the forest tree tops.
The new tracks, bridge and boardwalk have been built to a standard to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease, which is especially important in this park.
*** Please always clean your shoes, bikes, prams and wheelchairs at the stations. ***

Note: We made the decision to allow public access earlier than expected to prevent further damage to the forest by those who were throwing the fences into the trees 🙁

- Funded by the Kaipātiki Local Board and Natural Environment Targeted Rate.