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
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 |
1153 |
Coopers Beach Stream | 101870 |
Orange: |
472 |
Kaihu River, at campground | 102221 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
565 |
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road | 102838 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
3255 |
Kerikeri, Stone Store | 101530 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
11199 |
Lake Coca Cola | 110323 | Green: Safe to swim |
199 |
Lake Ngatu, south end | 100402 | Green: Safe to swim |
41 |
Lake Taharoa | 105434 |
Green: |
<10 |
Langs Beach, toilets | 100686 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
766 |
Ocean Beach Stream | 102077 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
1313 |
Omamari Beach Stream | 102305 |
Orange: |
520 |
Otamure Bay Stream | 108859 |
Orange: |
345 |
Otaua Stream | 108510 |
Red: |
1086 |
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei | 103246 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
1421 |
Tirohanga Stream | 102252 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
2359 |
Twin Bridges | 105973 |
Red: |
906 |
Victoria River | 104908 |
Green: |
259 |
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock | 110348 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
2481 |
Waipapa River, Puketi | 103248 |
No data |
No data |
108613 |
Orange: |
350 | |
101207 |
Green: |
120 | |
Waitangi, at Lilypond | 104830 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
6131 |
Waro Lake, Hikurangi | 107272 | Red: Unsafe to swim |
882 |
Whangarei Falls | 105972 | Red: 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
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