Freshwater quality: NRC results for week starting 01 February 2011

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.

Some results this week are still high as a result of the heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Wilma. Between 60-200mm of rain fell across most of Northland during the storm on 28-29 January.

NOTE: A Public Health Advisory was issued by Northland District Health Board following ex-tropical cyclone Wilma. View the Public Health Advisory here

Freshwater quality for week starting 01 February:

Warning signs have been placed by District Councils at the following sites (please see all the results below):

• Ocean Beach Stream
• Otamure Bay Stream
• Lake Waro
• Whangarei Falls
• Raumanga Stream
• Waipu Cove Stream
• Langs Beach Stream
• Ruakaka River
• Coopers Beach Stream
• Aurere River
• Waipoua River at DoC headquarters

Status system

NRC give a three tier status system for swimming water quality.  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
 E. coli less than 260/100ml

 Orange: caution, potentially unsuitable to swim
 E. coli count more than 260/100ml

 Red: unsafe to swim
 E. coli count more than 550/100ml

This weeks' 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
Aurere River, at Aurere Beach Road	110324	Red: Unsafe to swim	1565
Coopers Beach Stream	101870	Red: Unsafe to swim	650
Kaihu River, at campground	102221	Green:  Safe to swim	231
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road	102838	Orange: Caution	272
Kerikeri, Stone Store	101530	Orange: Caution	305
Lake Coca Cola	110323	Orange: Caution	345
Lake Ngatu, south end	100402	Green:  Safe to swim	86
Lake Taharoa	105434	Green:  Safe to swim	10
Langs Beach, toilets	100686	Green:  Safe to swim	187
Ocean Beach Stream	102077	Red: Unsafe to swim	933
Omamari Beach Stream	102305	Orange: Caution	341
Otamure Bay Stream	108859	Orange: Caution	402
Otaua Stream	108510	Green:  Safe to swim	243
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei	103246	Orange: Caution	512
Tirohanga Stream	102252	Orange: Caution	275
Twin Bridges	105973	Green:  Safe to swim	240
Victoria River	104908	Green:  Safe to swim	108
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock	110348	Green:  Safe to swim	<10
Waipapa River, Puketi	103248	No data	No data
Waipoua River, at DOC campground	108613	Green:  Safe to swim	63
Waipu Cove Stream	101207	Green:  Safe to swim	240
Waitangi, at Lilypond	104830	Orange: Caution	488
Waro Lake, Hikurangi	107272	Orange: Caution	354
Whangarei Falls	105972	Red: Unsafe to swim	657

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. 

Who to contact

NRC are responsible for routine surveillance monitoring. These results are sent to the District Councils and Northland Health, who then carry out follow-up sampling as required and warn the public of any swimming sites that may be unsafe.

For information about a specific area or a warning sign contact your local District Council or the on-duty Health Protection Officer at Northland Health.

Far North District Council
Freephone: 0800 920 029

Whangarei District Council
Phone: 09 430 4200

Kaipara District Council
Phone: 09 439 7059

Northland Health
Phone: 09 430 4100

For general information contact:

Northland Regional Council
Freephone: 0800 002 004