Annual testing of popular swim spots starts soon

Annual Northland Regional Council summer water quality tests to indicate how safe our most popular beaches, rivers and lakes are for swimming will begin again shortly.

The Northland regional council has been monitoring bacterial levels at popular swimming spots over summer for more than a decade.

This year’s programme begins on November 26 and will run until the last week of March next year.

“The programme monitors bacterial levels at beaches, lakes and rivers most often used for swimming, water sports and similar forms of recreation,” says council’s Environmental Monitoring Programme Manager, John Ballinger.

Hundreds of samples will be taken from 48 coastal and 11 freshwater sites across the region this year.

The summer samples will be given one of three grades depending on the number of bacteria they contain: Green (safe to swim), Amber (elevated bacteria levels) or Red (unsafe for swimming).

As well as being posted on the regional council’s website, results will also be forwarded weekly to all three district councils, the Northland District Health Board and other interested parties.

Mr Ballinger says most of the popular spots the regional council monitors are usually safe for swimming, although Northland’s high rainfall and hilly terrain meant many could be temporarily contaminated by run-off from the land for several days after heavy rain.

Check water quality of your favourite spot at www.nrc.govt.nz/swimming or freephone 0800 002 004 for more information. Report water quality concerns to the Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639.

Water quality tips

• Don’t swim if there are warning signs indicating unsafe water.
• Don’t swim for two or three days after heavy rain.

• Don’t swim if water looks dirty/murky, smells or has scum on its surface.

• Be aware of potential sources of contamination – both nearby and upstream.