The Dunedin City Council put up signs at the beach on Friday recommending against recreational water use, after the Otago Regional Council reported high levels of bacteria in the water.
Results from retesting on Monday were not available yesterday.
However, in an attempt to determine the source of the contamination, Otago Reg-ional Council staff carried out further testing of the fresh water creek which flowed into the bay, environmental infor- mation and science director Dr John Threlfall said.
"It's not subtle; its been quite large," he said of the bacteria levels.
The creek had been "suspect for some time".
After heavy rain, contaminant levels appeared to rise.
He was surprised levels were high last week after dry weather.
The Bay Cafe and Bar owner Les Scott hoped the problem would be solved sooner rather than later.
Some people were ignoring the warning signs and continuing to use the beach, he said.
