Freshwater quality: NRC results for week starting 24 January 2011

Posted 13 years, 9 months ago    1 comment

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. 

Testing started on 29 November and will continue for 12 weeks through to March.

Freshwater quality for week starting 24 January:

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
  • Coopers Beach Stream
  • Waipoua River at DoC headquarters
  • Kaihu River at campground

NOTE: No additional signs placed by Far North District Council this week as most sites deemed unsafe for swimming after heavy rainfall.

Many results this week are very high as a result of the recent heavy rain.  Between 60-200mm of rain fell across most of Northland during the storm on 22-23 January

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 Green: safe to swim
 E. coli less than 260/100ml

Orange: caution

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

Red: unsafe to swim 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 swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
1153
Coopers Beach Stream 101870

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

472
Kaihu River, at campground 102221 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
565
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road 102838 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim

3255

Kerikeri, Stone Store 101530 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
11199
Lake Coca Cola 110323 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
199
Lake Ngatu, south end 100402 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
41
Lake Taharoa 105434

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

<10
Langs Beach, toilets  100686 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
766
Ocean Beach Stream 102077 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
1313
Omamari Beach Stream 102305

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

520
Otamure Bay Stream 108859

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

345
Otaua Stream 108510

Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim

1086
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei 103246 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
1421
Tirohanga Stream 102252 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
2359
Twin Bridges 105973

Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim

906
Victoria River 104908

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

259
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock 110348 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
2481
Waipapa River, Puketi 103248

No data

No data

Waipoua River, at DOC campground

108613

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

350

Waipu Cove Stream

101207

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

120
Waitangi, at Lilypond 104830 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
6131
Waro Lake, Hikurangi 107272 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
882
Whangarei Falls 105972 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
644

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


Comments

11 years, 11 months ago
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