NRC: Freshwater quality results for week starting 17 January 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. 

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

Freshwater quality for week starting 17 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
• Waipu Cove Stream
• Langs Beach Stream
• Coopers Beach Stream
• Kapiro Stream at Purerua Rd
• Kerikeri River at Stone Store
• 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	Orange: Caution	337
Coopers Beach Stream	101870	Red: Unsafe to swim	2613
Kaihu River, at campground	102221	Red: Unsafe to swim	2282
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road	102838	Red: Unsafe to swim	3654
Kerikeri, Stone Store	101530	Red: Unsafe to swim	1198
Lake Coca Cola	110323	Green:  Safe to swim	10
Lake Ngatu, south end	100402	Green:  Safe to swim	31
Lake Taharoa	105434	Green:  Safe to swim	<10
Langs Beach, toilets	100686	Red: Unsafe to swim	1860
Ocean Beach Stream	102077	Red: Unsafe to swim	2359
Omamari Beach Stream	102305	Orange: Caution	285
Otamure Bay Stream	108859	Red: Unsafe to swim	9804
Otaua Stream	108510	Orange: Caution	462
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei	103246	Green:  Safe to swim	185
Tirohanga Stream	102252	Orange: Caution	384
Twin Bridges	105973	Orange: Caution	410
Victoria River	104908	Green:  Safe to swim	211
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock	110348	Green:  Safe to swim	171
Waipapa River, Puketi	103248	No data	No data
Waipoua River, at DOC campground	108613	Red: Unsafe to swim	2014
Waipu Cove Stream	101207	Red: Unsafe to swim	2282
Waitangi, at Lilypond	104830	Orange: Caution	395
Waro Lake, Hikurangi	107272	Red: Unsafe to swim	2755
Whangarei Falls	105972	Orange: Caution	512

NOTE: NRC randomly sampled Wairoa Stream at Ahipara this week and the site was 'safe to swim'.

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