The water quality in a number of the waterways of Doubtless Bay and Northland has deteriorated over the last 10 days.
Water quality monitoring carried out by Doubtless Bay Community Care for Our Catchment and Northland Regional Council over the last 10 days have both recorded deterioration in water quality in a number of waterways.
Rainfall = Increased overland runoff = Deterioration in water quality
In general terms, the long dry period Northland has been experiencing has resulted in improved freshwater quality. However, the rainfall experienced over the last 10 days has resulted in deteriorating water quality at a number of sites.
Doubtless Bay Community Care for Our Catchment monitoring results:
Water quality sample results taken by Doubtless Bay Community Care for Our Catchment on 29 January have highlighted the decline in water quality in Doubtless Bay compared to the previous month’s monitoring. Results of the monitoring are shown below:
A PDF copy of all the monitoring results are below:
For more information on Doubtless Bay Community Care for Our Catchment please click here.
Northland Regional Council monitoring results:
Each summer, Northland regional Council test the water quality at a number of Northland’s popular coastal and freshwater swimming spots to make sure it’s safe for swimming. The testing starts in December each year and continues for 12 weeks through to March the following year.
Northland Regional Council notes that heavy rainfall received earlier this week has led to high levels of bacteria at some freshwater sites, and recommends avoiding swimming for 24 to 48 hours after heavy rainfall.
Samples taken week beginning 01 February 2010:
Status system
NRC give a three tier status system for swimming water quality (the same system used by Doubtless Bay Community Care for Our Catchment). This is based by assessing the risk of contamination at a freshwater swimming site using levels of the indicator bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). Find out more about what NRC test for
Green: safe to swim
Escherichia coli count less than 260/100ml
Orange: caution, potentially unsuitable to swim
Escherichia coli count more than 260/100ml
Red: unsafe to swim
Escherichia coli count more than 550/100ml
This week's results
The table below shows the most recent results for all the freshwater sites sampled in Northland. All locations are in alphabetical order.
LOCATION | Site No. | Status | Result |
Coopers Beach Stream | 101870 |
Red: |
3255 |
Kaihu River, at campground | 102221 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
754 |
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road | 102838 |
Red: |
586 |
Kerikeri, Stone Store bridge | 101530 | Green: Safe to swim |
97 |
Lake Taharoa | 105434 |
Green: Safe to swim |
31 |
Langs Beach Stream | 104539 |
Red: |
5492 |
Ocean Beach Stream |
102077 |
Green: Safe to swim |
160 |
Omamari Beach Stream | 102305 |
Red: Unsafe to swim |
728 |
Otamure Bay Stream | 108859 | Green: Safe to swim |
106 |
Otaua Stream | 108510 |
Red: |
2143 |
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei | 103246 | Orange: Caution |
546 |
Tirohanga Stream | 102252 | Green: Safe to swim |
86 |
Twin Bridges | 105973 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
8164 |
Victoria River | 104908 |
Red: |
3654 |
Waipapa Basin | 105706 |
Green: |
85 |
Waipapa River, Puketi | 103248 |
NOT AVAILABLE |
|
Waipoua River, at DOC campground |
108613 |
Red: Unsafe to swim |
1607 |
Waipu Stream |
101207 | Green: Safe to swim |
62 |
Waitangi, at Lily Pond | 104830 |
Orange: |
464 |
Waro Lake, Hikurangi | 107272 | Green: Safe to swim |
86 |
Whangarei Falls | 105972 |
Red: |
749 |
Check before you swim
In general, water can be contaminated and unsafe for swimming if:
- there is a warning sign erected indicating water is unsafe.
- there has been heavy rain recently.
- the water looks dirty (murky).
- there are several potential sources of contamination nearby and upstream such as:
- houses on septic tanks;
- stock with access to the water; or
- a sewage treatment plant discharge.
Click here for more information on Northland Regional Council.
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