NRC: Freshwater swimming quality results for week starting 01 March

Northland Regional Council's samples taken week beginning 01 March 2010:

Please find attached results from this week's recreational swimming water quality programme. You’ll see that there are quite a few elevated results this week. These results can largely be linked to the rainfall received across the region earlier in the week.

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).  Click here to find out more about what NRC test for.

Please note: A reduced number of sites will now be sampled until 31 March 2010. Sites that are no longer monitored are still listed but graded according to their median result for the season.

This week's 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
Coopers Beach Stream	101870	Red:  Unsafe to swim	1211
Kaihu River, at campground	102221	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road	102838	Red:  Unsafe to swim	1483
Kerikeri, Stone Store bridge	101530	Red:  Unsafe to swim	4106
Lake Taharoa	105434	Green: Safe to swim	Season median
Langs Beach Stream	104539	Orange:  Caution	441
Ocean Beach Stream	102077	Red:  Unsafe to swim	573
Omamari Beach Stream	102305	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Otamure Bay Stream	108859	Red:  Unsafe to swim	669
Otaua Stream	108510	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei	103246	Orange:   Caution	295
Tirohanga Stream	102252	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Twin Bridges	105973	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Victoria River	104908	Green: Safe to swim	201
Waipapa Basin	105706	Red:  Unsafe to swim	11199
Waipapa River, Puketi	103248	Green:  Safe to swim	97
Waipoua River, at DOC campground	108613	Green:  Safe to swim	Season median
Waipu Stream	101207	Red:  Unsafe to swim	3654
Waitangi, at Lily Pond	104830	Red:  Unsafe to swim	855
Waro Lake, Hikurangi	107272	Green:  Safe to swim	145
Whangarei Falls	105972	Red:  Unsafe to swim	565

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

We 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
Phone: 09 405 2750

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