Living in Northland

Freshwater quality - 07/08 summary

Summary
Status system
Map of testing sites
Check before you swim
Who to contact

Summary

The recreational bathing water quality programme has finished for the 2007 - 2008 summer.

The programme included weekly sampling at 19 freshwater swimming spots from the end of November 2007 to the start of March 2008.

pdf logo.Download a summary of the 2007 - 2008 results for freshwater sites (44 KB)

 

Status system

We 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 we test for

Green - safe to swim Green: safe to swim
 Escherichia coli count less than 260/100ml

Orange: caution

 Orange: caution, potentially unsuitable to swim
 Escherichia coli count more than 260/100ml

Red: unsafe to swim Red: unsafe to swim
 Escherichia coli count more than 550/100ml

 

Map of freshwater testing sites

View a map of the freshwater testing sites

View a large version of the freshwater monitoring sites map. 


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

 

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