New Zealand's 'high risk' beaches for water quality

Monday, 22 December 2014

Think twice before putting your head under the water this summer - you could be dipping into one of New Zealand's 'high risk' beaches for water quality issues.

According to new information on the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, 49 out of 350 of the country's beaches are classified as having a high risk of causing infection or illness.

Auckland's beaches haven't fared well, with 11 of the region's 63 beaches given the worst water quality rating by authorities.

The majority of beaches - 64 per cent - had a low or very low risk, while the rest were within acceptable limits. 

Along with information on the water quality of 1100 rivers, the website, which was launched in March, now provides a seasonal guide to beaches' water quality based on the last three years of monitoring, as well as the results of weekly beach testing.

'Beaches are a key part of many New Zealanders' lifestyles and it's important that people can swim without getting sick from contaminated water,' said Dr Jarrod Walker, senior marine scientist at Auckland Council.

'By reviewing bacteria levels at beaches over time, LAWA allows us to assess to what extent the water at our beaches is affected by bacteria and whether this poses a health risk to the public.'

Even at beaches marked low risk, Walker advised people to avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rain.

Fran Wilde, group chairwoman of the Local Government New Zealand regional sector, said the response to the river data already available on LAWA had been positive.

'It's great to be able to build on the information available and move into the marine environment, and we're excited to provide beach information on LAWA in time for summer when our beaches are at their busiest,' she said.

Wilde said work on other environmental indicators for LAWA was continuing, and the website would eventually show information on water quantity, air quality, land and biodiversity, as well as more data on the quality of fresh and coastal water.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith said the initiative - undertaken by regional councils, the Cawthron Institute, Ministry for the Environment and the Tindall Foundation -  was part of the Government's programme of improving information on the quality of our environment.

'Next year we will be passing a new Environmental Reporting Act through Parliament to expand the quality and quantity of data,' he said. 

'This work is about giving integrity to New Zealand's clean green brand and highlighting areas where communities need to do better in managing water quality.'

NORTHLAND BEACHES WITH 'CAUTION' LABEL

Paihia at Waitangi Bridge and at Te Haumi River

Matapouri Bay (two sites measured)

Opononi at the Hokianga Harbour

Cooper's Beach

Tokerau Beach

Teal Bay

Ngunguru Estuary at the school

Wellingtons Bay

Ruakaka River below the motor camp

Pahi

AUCKLAND BEACHES WITH 'CAUTION' LABEL

Christmas Beach

Fosters Bay

French Bay

Green Bay Beach

Huia Beach

Judges Bay

Laingholm Beach

Milford Beach

Te Atatu Beach

Titirangi Beach

Wood Bay Beach

WELLINGTON BEACHES WITH 'CAUTION' LABEL

Island Bay

Owhiro Bay

Plimmerton Beach

Titahi Bay at the South Beach access road

Rona Bay at north end of Cliff Bishop Park

CANTERBURY BEACHES WITH 'CAUTION' LABEL

Avon-Heathcote Estuary at the Mount Pleasant Yacht Club