The 3.8km Ironman Challenge is scheduled for Sunday January 14.
The Nelson City Council has advised that tests at Tahuna Beach on Thursday show a bacteria level of 324. The level at which there’s a health risk is 150. With continuous rain since then, the level is likely to be well above safe levels.
The Nelson Medical Officer of Health has advised that we should not proceed with the swim. We have no option but to take this advice. We’ll update this site with further information shortly.
Here’s the email from NCC:
Further to our discussions this morning I confirm advice from Medical Officer of Health (Public Health Service) that you are strongly recommended to cancel or postpone the Sea Swim tomorrow. See below from Public Health Service.
Issue:
- red alert micro level at Tahuna Beach from Thursday’s sampling round;
- very high micro levels within the Maitai river and surrounding marine waters (Monaco and Haven);
- continuing heavy rainfall
The Public Health Service has strongly recommended to the Sea Swim organisers, via Nelson City Council, that tomorrow’s sea swim in the Tahuna Beach/harbour area be cancelled or postponed. While we can’t quantify that there will be continuing red alert micro levels, there is a very high likelihood due to the rain, river outflows and stormwater that the marine environment will have an elevated health risk.
In addition, a general public health advisory is recommended to be issued by NCC.
Stephen Lawrence
Environmental Health Officer
Nelson City Council / Te Kaunihera o Whakatū
03 546 0351 or 027 229 3394
www.nelson.govt.nz