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.
Freshwater quality for week starting 07 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
- Kaihu River at campground
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 | Green: Safe to swim |
86 |
Coopers Beach Stream | 101870 |
Orange: |
435 |
Kaihu River, at campground | 102221 |
Red: |
712 |
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road | 102838 |
Orange: |
448 |
Kerikeri, Stone Store | 101530 |
Green: |
197 |
Lake Coca Cola | 110323 |
Green: |
<10 |
Lake Ngatu, south end | 100402 | Green: Safe to swim |
10 |
Lake Taharoa | 105434 |
Green: |
10 |
Langs Beach, toilets | 100686 |
Orange: |
441 |
Ocean Beach Stream | 102077 |
Green: |
122 |
Omamari Beach Stream | 102305 |
Green: |
109 |
Otamure Bay Stream | 108859 |
Red: |
4352 |
Otaua Stream | 108510 |
Orange: |
282 |
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei | 103246 |
Orange: |
314 |
Tirohanga Stream | 102252 |
Green: |
185 |
Twin Bridges | 105973 |
Green: |
256 |
Victoria River | 104908 |
Green: |
98 |
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock | 110348 |
Green: |
121 |
Waipapa River, Puketi | 103248 |
No data |
No data |
108613 |
Green: |
97 | |
101207 |
Green: |
86 | |
Waitangi, at Lilypond | 104830 |
Green: |
211 |
Waro Lake, Hikurangi | 107272 |
Green: |
63 |
Whangarei Falls | 105972 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
727 |
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
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