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Water Quality in Rivers, Beaches and Lagoons in Hawke's
Bay
Hawke’s Bay’s stunning summer are here! We take it for granted that our rivers, beaches and lagoons are in ship-shape for a dip whenever we feel the urge. But there are times when we need to be aware that waterways have the potential to become contaminated, especially for a few days after rain. Heavy rainfall collects germs from animal waste in farming areas, pollutants from urban areas and even sewage. |
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Rather than soaking into the soil, in heavy rain these are
carried into streams and rivers, and then the ocean. Illnesses
related to infected water can include skin, eye and ear infections,
diarrhoea
and sometimes vomiting (tummy bug) as well as flu-like symptoms.
Important points to remember
- Avoid waterways for three days after heavy rain, especially
if the water is murky and also if there is livestock
or large numbers of birds or animals in or near the water,” said
Mr
Hart. - Call the free 24-hour Safe Swimming line on 06 878 1368 (set up by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board) for information on where it is safe to swim.
So who tests the rivers and beaches and how do they do it?
Each summer, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council takes weekly samples from 27 popularly used beaches, lagoons and rivers throughout the region testing for bacteria (E-coli and enterococci) against national guidelines.
Go to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's website for up-to-the-minute information on the quality of the water around the region.
Once the Regional Council has collected the weekly samples, the information goes to the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board which uses a “traffic light” system (described below) to inform people about whether the water quality of a site is suitable for swimming and other water-based recreational activities.
When tests show these guidelines are exceeded, the Hastings District Council’s Environmental Health Officers arrange for warning signs to be erected.
The system is as follows:
- Green Mode indicates there is minimal health risk for recreational activities involving contact with water.
- Amber Mode indicates the health risk for recreational activities involving contact with the water may have increased. This acts as a trigger and councils collect more frequent samples.
- Red Mode any contact with the water could present a signifi cant risk.
Please note: if a water site was to reach Red Mode, signs would be erected in the affected area, warning people to not swim there.
Certain river sites regularly exceed maximum levels of bacteria set down in the New Zealand standards, regardless of whether rain occurred prior. These rivers are the Clive River, Puhokio Lagoon at Waimarama Beach and the Waipatiki Lagoon at Waipatiki Beach. These rivers are not generally recommended for swimming.
Contact
Remember, if in doubt, ring the Public Health Unit’s 24-hour Safe Swimming line on 878 1368 before you head off for the river or beach.
Alternatively, contact a Hastings District Council Environmental
Health Officer on 
resource@hdc.govt.nz or
phone 06 878 0500.
