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 21 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
- Coopers Beach Stream
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 |
|
| Coopers Beach Stream | 101870 |
|
|
| Kaihu River, at campground | 102221 |
|
|
| Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road | 102838 |
|
|
| Kerikeri, Stone Store | 101530 |
|
|
| Lake Coca Cola | 110323 |
|
|
| Lake Ngatu, south end | 100402 | Green: Safe to swim |
|
| Lake Taharoa | 105434 |
|
|
| Langs Beach, toilets | 100686 |
|
148 |
| Ocean Beach Stream | 102077 |  Red:Unsafe to swim |
2481 |
| Omamari Beach Stream | 102305 |
|
|
| Otamure Bay Stream | 108859 |
|
61 |
| Otaua Stream | 108510 |
|
|
| Raumanga Stream, Whangarei | 103246 |
|
171 |
| Tirohanga Stream | 102252 |
|
|
| Twin Bridges | 105973 |
|
|
| Victoria River | 104908 |
|
|
| Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock | 110348 |
|
|
| Waipapa River, Puketi | 103248 |
No data |
|
| 108613 |
|
||
| 101207 |
|
52 | |
| Waitangi, at Lilypond | 104830 |
|
|
| Waro Lake, Hikurangi | 107272 |
|
754 |
| Whangarei Falls | 105972 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
717 |
Orange: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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