DNA tracking used to determine source of Piha contamination

New DNA tracking techniques are being used to find the source of a contamination at a popular Auckland holiday spot.

A public health warning's been issued for Piha Lagoon, amid fears septic tanks from nearby baches have contaminated the water.

Martin Neale, Auckland Council's environmental science manager, says the pathogens and bacteria found in the lagoon pose a particular challenge.

"We can tell they're in the water but what's difficult is determining where they're coming from. So there is some ongoing work and we're using some relatively new technology based on DNA."

Martin Neale says new DNA tracking is being used to find out where the contamination's come from.

"Different types of animal have different types of bacteria in them, and we can use the DNA signature to tell what kind of animal it's coming from."

Martin Neale says the DNA method costs hundreds of dollars per test, compared to around $20 per routine bacterial test.

But he says it's proven successful in the past, and work is underway to make it cheaper.

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DNA tracking used to determine source of Piha contamination