Beach water quality - 07/08 summary
Summary for the 07 / 08 summer season
The recreational bathing water quality programme has finished for the 2007 - 2008 summer.
The programme included weekly sampling at 54 coastal beaches from the end of November 2007 to the start of March 2008.
Download a summary of the 2007 - 2008 results for the coastal sites (78KB)
Status system
We give a three tier status system for swimming water quality. This is based by assessing the risk of contamination at a beach swimming site using levels of the indicator bacteria Enterococci. Find out more about what we test for
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Green: safe to swim
Enterococci count less than 136/100ml
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Orange: caution, potentially unsuitable to swim
Enterococci count more than 136/100ml
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Red: unsafe to swim
Enterococci count more than 277/100ml
Maps of testing areas
The maps below show the exact locations of where our water quality is done at each location.
Bay of Islands
View a map of the testing sites
Coopers Beach / Taipa
View a map of the testing sites
Hokianga Harbour
View a map of the testing sites
Kaipara Harbour
View a map of the testing sites
Mangawhai Harbour
View a map of the testing sites
Matapouri / Tutukaka / Ngunguru
View a map of the testing sites
Oakura / Teal Bay
View a map of the testing sites
Ruakaka / Waipu / Langs Beach
View a map of the testing sites
Whananaki
View a map of the testing sites
Whangarei Heads / Onerahi / Pataua
View a map of the testing sites.
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