WATER QUALITY TESTING IN THE OMAHA RIVER ESTUARY

Over the past twelve months we have tested the estuary water for E-coli on five occasions, using four common locations each time. The results are shown below.

We have also included rainfall figures for Point Wells in the two weeks before testing and also in the three days before testing, to see whether or how strongly the E-coli and rainfall figures are correlated.

The key to interpreting the E-coli figures is that any number below 235 is considered safe for swimming; between 235 and 550 is considered marginal, and above 550 is unsafe for swimming. (The figures represent cfu/100ml, cfu being a microbiological measurement)

The most recent sampling occasion was just before Cyclone Gabrielle but not long after the even more extreme “atmospheric river” rainfall event we had in the last few days of January.

As a general comment these results show that swimming at the boat ramp has been safe every time we sampled except when we tested immediately before Christmas, when it was marginal, just outside safe. The same “generally safe” comment can be made for the other three sampling locations along the estuary, again except for the pre-Christmas sampling, when the recommendation would have been definitely not to swim at two of them and probably not at the third.

There is no clear correlation between rainfall and E-coli concentrations in these figures.

The obvious outlier period was the pre-Christmas sampling when we recorded unusually high contamination figures at all four locations. But it is not clear why this pattern occurred.

Last winter had been particularly wet and there had been almost 100mm of rain in the two weeks before the preChristmas sampling, so we could surmise that the soil was saturated and loaded with contamination from old septic tanks.

On the other hand, at the most recent sampling occasion on February 7 we recorded very low E-coli levels and this was preceded by a huge “atmospheric river” of rain361mm within two weeks of sampling, which should also have saturated the soils.

A possible explanation for the high pre-Christmas E-coli readings may be that this measurement occasion coincided with some unknown large contamination event somewhere in the estuary.

Despite the inability to directly tie these results into particular rain events, from past E-coli testing experience we reiterate our safe-swimming guideline, which is not to swim in the estuary within three days of significant rainfall.

If you want to be particularly cautious about swimming, it is probably best to swim on the incoming tide or at slack water before the ebb has really got underway.

Robin Ransom February 2023

WARKWORTH & DISTRICTS CROQUET CLUB

The record rainfall, and most especially in January, has meant quite wet lawns over the last few months, but we have managed to keep playing in the short breaks between the storms. The lawns are in excellent condition.

We held a “have a go” day in November and that was very successful with some new members already and more trying out.

11 Internal Club Competitions are continuing, as well as the Auckland Interclub Competition, where we have two teams entered.

Kindness

Visitors and new members are welcome. Please phone Sue on 0210395921, or come along on a club dayMonday, Thursday or Saturday at 9:30am for play at 9:45m.

We would like to thank Bayleys Real Estate and Jodi for her kind support of the club, and Summerset Falls, Warkworth.

Peter Radley President

Emma, who lives in Waimanu Place, Point Wells, wrote these two poems about kindness, for parents to share with their children. Her hope is that these poems will spark conversations in the home, helping to grow children’s understanding and compassion about people who ride or walk differently

Poem #1

Billy sits in a wheelchair

And no, he can not stand

This is Billy’s transport

Which he pushes with his hands

Billy can’t go everywhere

And sometimes he gets stuck

In sand, or mud, or even rocks

He can have the worst of luck

We don’t treat Billy different

Because he is just like me and you

Sometimes we need a little help

When you don’t know what to do

Poem #2

Sam needs help with walking

Her legs are not that strong

She uses crutches for balance

And to help her move along

So, what if Sam falls over?

We will help to pick her up!

Dust off her dirty knees

And wish the best of luck!

When Sam’s legs get tired

Just like yours do too

Pull up a chair and take a seat

Sam would love to talk to you

Emma Hawke

And speaking of kindness… we’d like to acknowledge everyone who helped or offered help to their neighbours over the past few weeks. The times have been very challenging but the acts of kindness shown have been heart-warming.

We obviously don’t get to know of every kind act but we would like to mention a couple who have been brought to our notice:

SeanDriver who put the call out to anyone needing a bed for the night during the Auckland Anniversary floods as well as help with fallen trees, blocked drains, etc., access to his Starlink when the phone networks were all down and posting helpful road condition info on local community pages; and TysonEdwards - your neighbours greatly appreciate your kind and willing help whenever there is a need.

It is people like you who make this community great. Thank you.