A sample bottle will be lowered from the chopper as it hovers at the site, before moving on to the next. The samples will then be taken for laboratory testing.
This will save time and money, claims the council’s environmental scientist James Corbett.
“Previously testing was carried out by council’s environmental scientists, who would have to drive for hours to get to each site, crossing from one coastline to other,” says Mr Corbett.
He says water tests will be conducted on Wednesdays, and results will be available late on the following Thursday on the council’s website (www.manukau.govt.nz/safeswim), or 0800 SAFESWIM (0800-7946-7233).
Mr Corbett adds the tests check for bacteria that may cause illness. Stormwater also carries pollutants off the land into streams and to beaches. Sometimes sewage may enter the stormwater.
