NRC: Freshwater quality results for week 27 to 30 December

Posted 13 years, 3 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 27 December:

Warning signs have been placed by District Councils at the following sites (please see all the results below):

  • Ocean Beach Stream
  • Otamure Bay Stream
  • Whangarei Falls
  • Raumanga Stream
  • Waipu Cove Stream
  • Coopers Beach Stream
  • Mangakahia River above Twin Bridges
  • Otaua Stream at Otaua Road Bridge
  • Kapiro Stream at Purerua Rd
  • Victoria River at DOC reserve

NOTE: Some results remain high as a result of the ongoing rainfall. Remember the four simple rules:

  • Don't swim if there are warning signs indicating water is unsafe
  • Avoid swimming two to three days after heavy rain
  • Don't swim if water looks dirty/murky, smells or it has scum on the surface
  • Be aware of potential sources of contamination nearby or upstream

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

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

457
Coopers Beach Stream 101870 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
6867
Kaihu River, at campground 102221 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
173
Kapiro Bridge, at Purerua Road 102838 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim

 669

Kerikeri, Stone Store 101530 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
110
Lake Coca Cola 110323 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
30
Lake Ngatu, south end 100402 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
<10
Lake Taharoa 105434

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

<10
Langs Beach, toilets  100686 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
754
Ocean Beach Stream 102077 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
2359
Omamari Beach Stream 102305

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

135
Otamure Bay Stream 108859 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
1259
Otaua Stream 108510

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

379
Raumanga Stream, Whangarei 103246

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

487
Tirohanga Stream 102252

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

161
Twin Bridges 105973 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
576
Victoria River 104908 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
624
Waipapa Basin, at Charlies Rock 110348

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

246
Waipapa River, Puketi 103248

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

110

Waipoua River, at DOC campground

108613

Orange: cautionOrange:
Caution

399

Waipu Cove Stream

101207

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

256
Waitangi, at Lilypond 104830 Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim
161
Waro Lake, Hikurangi 107272

Green - safe to swimGreen: 
Safe to swim

31
Whangarei Falls 105972 Red: unsafe to swimRed:
Unsafe to swim
620

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, 3 months ago
Gran oportunidad de éxito está a la vuelta de la esquina.Tauro en el 2012 de repente ocupado.Ya sea en el trabajo o en su vida diaria.

Email this page...     Link to this page...
Shim