Lake Wakatipu's first ‘sharks' ready to ride
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant has now discharged the equivalent of about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of effluent into the Shotover River and the consideration of its effects has yet...
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Otago Daily Times
19 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Lake Wakatipu's first ‘sharks' ready to ride
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant has now discharged the equivalent of about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of effluent into the Shotover River and the consideration of its effects has yet...
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Effluent issue unresolved
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant has now discharged the equivalent of about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of effluent into the Shotover River and the consideration of its effects has yet to be assessed. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) applied for retrospective resource consent from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) for its emergency measures, but the application has yet to be notified and no hearing date has been set. When the QLDC began its "short-term solution" on March 31 it said it was discharging about 12,000cum of wastewater a day, or the equivalent of just under five Olympic-sized swimming pools. That was 81 days ago. The ORC has said under the Resource Management Act its staff need to confirm the application is complete, decide if further information is needed and make a formal notification decision, despite the QLDC's request the application be publicly notified. Regular sampling is done so any impacts on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers can be monitored and the data is publicly available. But the ORC website confirms "questions have been raised about the impact of the discharge on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers and what role dilution plays". "Any decision on if this discharge is appropriate and on effects moving forward will be assessed through any consents and compliance processes." University of Otago freshwater scientist Associate Prof Marc Schallenberg said the issues raised were interesting, but warned as well the discharge was "risky business". "This is a very interesting topic," Prof Schallenberg said. "One of the reasons it is interesting is that almost nothing is known about the ecological health of large rivers like the Kawarau. "Because it is so difficult to sample large and fast-flowing rivers, we know very little about them." Typically, assessments were based on water quality without any understanding about the effects on periphyton, invertebrates, or fish. In a river such as the Kawarau, it seemed these ecological components were of little perceived value due to the nature of the river. "However, in terms of downstream drinking water use and recreation, the water quality (especially faecal contamination, pharmaceuticals, etc) is quite important." He said the issue was outside his personal area of expertise, but he supposed the mixing, or dilution, that was happening in the river would be quite rapid and thorough not far downstream from the Shotover confluence. "I guess that by the time it gets to AJ Hackett [Bungy Centre], the sewage will be quite diluted. "But the final concentration of contaminants will depend on the concentrations in the effluent and the amount of water available for dilution. "It's all a messy, risky business where there are downstream users."
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
London's best lidos, ponds and outdoor pools to beat the heatwave
A searing heatwave is sweeping the UK, and all any of us Londoners can think of is where to go to cool off. It's so hot, in fact, that the previous record of 40°C, in July 2022, could be under threat. A health agency has issued an amber heat warning, meaning there's potential for it to be dangerously hot, and the Met Office has warned it's only going to get hotter. In London, we don't have the luxury of a coast. But along with dozens of parks and buzzing beer gardens, we do have plenty of lidos and spots for wild swimming. So, grab your towel, slap on some factor 50, and dive right in. After a £4 million revamp, Tooting Bec Lido is finally open to the public this summer. At 90 metres long, it's the UK's largest freshwater swimming pool, catering to 1,300 Londoners. The lido offers two sessions per day, alongside special swim times to kickstart the season. As well as installing a new pumphouse and UV filtration system to keep the water clean and safe, the surrounding area has also had a glow-up. The changing rooms have been given a sleek, modern update and there's fresh landscaping around the water's edge. According to Wandsworth Council, 130 free tickets for swimming sessions will be available for eligible residents under Wandsworth's Access for All scheme. Otherwise, it's £9.40 for adults and £5.20 for kids. If you want wild swimming without travelling to the countryside, make for Hampstead Heath Ponds. Split between mixed, and men's and women's areas, the ponds have a cult following and come July will be heaving with crowds. Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity. A-listers are known to frequent the Heath, with Harry Styles, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Woody Harrelson all swimming there in recent years. Tickets are £4.80 for adults and £2.90 for concessions for 60 minutes of swimming. Tucked in the corner of Brixton's Brockwell Park, this lido is a real sun trap on a warm day. The 50m Olympic-sized pool sits beside an art deco building, with a cute café where you can refuel after a swim. Lane swims cost £8 for up to 50 minutes, and must be booked in advance. Another South London gem, this Olympic-sized heated pool has a summer sun terrace, coffee bar, and outdoor gym equipment. If you're lucky, you'll see the local parakeets flying above while you backstroke. Adult swimming sessions cost £11.50, with prices starting at £5.50 for concessions. Opened in the 1930s, this unheated outdoor pool is open to the public 365 days a year. Located near Gospel Oak train station, it's ideal for those who don't feel ready to brave the ponds. Swimming sessions start at £4.80 for adults and £2.00 for concessions, with no need to book ahead (but you may need to queue if it's busy). At Green Lanes in Stoke Newington, you can go for an open-water swim or try your hand at kayaking at the West Reservoir. It's not for the faint-hearted – temperatures are low, but it's a great spot to get used to the cold water in a beautiful setting. Once you're done, warm up with a coffee at the waterside cafe. Open water swimming – which is available between 7am and 6pm – costs £13.15. Sessions are 30 minutes. Beckenham Place Park is the largest green space in Lewisham, and although you'll get the feel of wild swimming, lifeguards are on hand to ensure everything is safe, and you can hire kayaks or paddle boards at certain times too. Whichever water-based activity you choose, the lake offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle. One-hour sessions cost £7.40 for non-residents. Lewisham locals pay a little less, at £6.80. Fancy hitting up one of London's most iconic 'open water' swimming locations? Head to Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park. Here you can swim surrounded by nature, before drying off in the Lido Cafe Bar with a fresh lunch and a glass of wine. If you don't want to swim, but fancy checking out the views,waterside tables are available. For a full day at the lido, it's just £7.50. According to the website, Serpentine Lido will reopen for the weekend on May 17, and then fully from 24 May. If you've got kids in tow, Hillingdon Lido is a great shout. The 1930s Grade II-listed, 50m open-air swimming pool oozes art deco charm, and is considered a 'hidden gem.' Not only are there stunning fountains to play around in, but there's also a new, heated shallow splash pool for little ones. It's close to Ruislip Lido, a sandy (man-made) beach with a lake beside it, though swimming is not permitted there. Also ideal for families, there's an ice-cream shop and play areas suited for kids. Worth the journey if you fancy a day in nature. Tickets cost £11 for non-residents. Let's be honest, this is the UK, and we're not always guaranteed good weather. More Trending And if the heavens open this weekend, Finchley Lido Leisure Centre has your back. This indoor complex combines a pool with slides, a wave machine and jets. There's also a cinema and a bowling alley for some post-swim fun. Outside, there is a 25-metre swimming pool open during the summer months. Swimming costs £8.30. MORE: Man 'carrying a gun' at Elm Park Underground station arrested during rush hour MORE: Does drinking alcohol in the sun really get you drunk faster? A doctor shares their verdict MORE: Defenceless' grandad, John Murray, 75, found beaten to death in his Chiswick home
