Living in Northland

Sites are removed from the programme for a number of reasons.  Sites with consistently good water quality are removed to allow resources to be focussed on sites with poorer water quality.  Sites with consistently poor water quality (where the source of contamination is natural i.e. birds) are removed and permanent warning signs are erected.  Sites that are close together and show similar results are removed to avoid duplicatioin. 

The following list shows the sites that have been removed from the programme over the years.  These sites will not be tested in 2011-12 however they will be reassessed after five years and added back into the programme if the results show a change in water quality. 

Sites with poor water quality

The following sites have consistently high bacterial levels, making them unsuitable for swimming at all times.

Sites with fair water quality

The following sites have intermittently high bacterial levels making them unsuitable for swimming some of the time. Bacterial levels are often elevated after heavy rain. We recommend that you do not swim after heavy rain, if the water is dirty or if there is a warning sign erected.

Sites with good water quality

The following sites have consistently low bacterial levels , making them suitable for swimming most of the time. However, bacterial levels can still become elevated after heavy rain. We recommend that you do not swim after heavy rain, if the water is dirty or if there is a warning sign erected.

Sites with similiar results

Results for Ngunguru at cable marker (site 100061) and Ngunguru at boat ramp (site 101300) are similar to the results from the other sites in Ngunguru. The site at bacle marker will therefore be excluded from the programme. 

Results from Paihia below junction (site 101186) are similar to the results for the other three sites. This site will therefore be excluded from the programme.

Results for Langs Beach North (108317) are similar to results for Langs Beach mid (108318), therefore the north site will be excluded from the programme.