Dunedin City Council is reminding swimmers, surfers and shellfish gatherers to stay out of the water for the next 72 hours to due to the risk of contamination from wet weather overflows.
The Council says the heavy rain event experienced in Dunedin has meant wet weather overflows have been discharged to the sea – via the Lawyers Head outfall – and other waterways.
Council Emergency Management Operations Centre (EOC) Incident Controller, Chris Henderson says, “As a precautionary approach, we advise swimmers, surfers and shellfish gatherers – and all other members of the public – to avoid entering any waterway for the next 72 hours, including our city’s beaches and Otago Harbour.
“It’s also important not to collect and consume any shellfish during this period.
“Staff will be continuing to monitor water quality at key locations, and we’ll update this advice if elevated levels of contamination are recorded.”
The Council says all flood waters should also be treated as contaminated as well, as should any objects – such as sandbags – which have come into contact with flood waters.
“Please leave any sandbags on the side of the road for collection by our contractors, and don’t forget to wear gloves if you’re moving these items,” said Mr Henderson.
Elsewhere, Council crews and contractors are continuing to clear debris and drains and check for any wider impacts of the heavy rain event.
The welfare centre opened at the Taieri Bowling Club has now closed, as has Te Puna o Whakaehu (Mosgiel Pool) and Mosgiel Library today to help reduce traffic on roadways.
Kerbside waste and recycling collection continues but residents can expect delays due to weather.
“I want to thank our crews and contractors and emergency services for their incredible efforts throughout this storm event and to Dunedin residents: thank you for your continued support and patience,” Mr Henderson says.
The Dunedin EOC continues to operate and the DCC call centre is open for anyone across the city in need of help, on 03 477 4000.
A large number of DCC roads remain closed as a result of flooding overnight. Find the full list here: Current road conditions and unplanned road closures – Dunedin City Council
State Highway closures can be found on the NZTA website here: Highway conditions for Otago | NZTA Journey Planner
Bus schedules are also impacted in some areas. Check the Orbus website: Orbus — Better by bus | brought to you by Otago Regional Council (ORC).
