Freshwater quality: NRC results for week starting 24 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 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: Caution	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:  Safe to swim	<10
Langs Beach, toilets	100686	Red: Unsafe to swim	766
Ocean Beach Stream	102077	Red: Unsafe to swim	1313
Omamari Beach Stream	102305	Orange: Caution	520
Otamure Bay Stream	108859	Orange: Caution	345
Otaua Stream	108510	Red: Unsafe to swim	1086
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei	103246	Red: Unsafe to swim	1421
Tirohanga Stream	102252	Red: Unsafe to swim	2359
Twin Bridges	105973	Red: Unsafe to swim	906
Victoria River	104908	Green:  Safe to swim	259
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock	110348	Red: Unsafe to swim	2481
Waipapa River, Puketi	103248	No data	No data
Waipoua River, at DOC campground	108613	Orange: Caution	350
Waipu Cove Stream	101207	Green:  Safe to swim	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