When you’re heading to the beach, local river or lake to swim this summer, don’t forget to look out for water quality information signs.

These will tell you if there’s a health alert in place or whether to avoid swimming if it’s been raining in the past two days.

Regular monitoring for bacteria and toxic algae

Each summer, starting in mid-November, key recreational sites around South Canterbury will be monitored weekly by us to check for bacteria or cyanobacteria (toxic algae) that might be harmful.

If the results show the water is unsuitable for recreation, Community and Public Health will issue health alerts and warning signs will be erected.

It’s also important to avoid swimming for 48 hours after there has been rainfall. This is because rain can wash bacteria from roads, paddocks and other sources into the waterway.

You can find out the latest information about water quality and cyanobacteria risks for any monitored site in the country at the Land and Water Aotearoa website.

Key swimming spots in South Canterbury

Here’s an update on the key swimming spots at the start of the 2020/21 season, based on our annual recreational grading (PDF File, 8.45MB). This considers the past three years of summer-time water monitoring data to inform a grade that gives an indication of overall risk to health.   

Only two sites in South Canterbury have been graded as unsuitable for swimming this year, with the remaining 30 sites graded as very good, good or fair. 

Once summer-time water monitoring is underway you can see the most up-to-date results at lawa.org.nz.

Beaches

• Caroline Bay has good water quality for swimming near the yacht club and in the middle of the beach.
• It’s best to avoid swimming near the stormwater outlet ‘Whale Creek,’ especially up to 48 hours after rainfall.

Rivers

• The Waihi River at the Wilson Street Footbridge spot in Geraldine has been graded as poor this year and should be avoided. The Waihi Gorge location is good for swimming.
• Pareora River at the Huts settlement is safe for swimming, after being graded as poor last year. Evan’s Crossing on the Pareora River is suitable for swimming. Both sites should be avoided for 48 hours after moderate rainfall or when there is any discolouration of the water.
• Sites at Otaio River Gorge, Opihi River at Saleyards Bridge and Waipopo Huts, are all suitable for swimming.
• All other monitored river sites in South Canterbury are suitable for swimming except for the Black Hole on the Waihao River.

Lakes

• If you’re heading up to the lakes, there is very good water quality at Lake Opuha – Recreation Reserve and Lake Tekapo Beach.
• All other sites are also recommended as suitable for swimming.

Swimming grades for 2020/21 summer 

Timaru District	2020/21 Grade (*except for 48 hours after rainfall)
Hae Hae Te Moana River at Gorge	Good*
Opihi River at Saleyards Bridge	Good*
Opihi River at SH1	Good
Opihi River at Waipopo Huts	Good*
Orari River at Gorge	Good*
Pareora River at Evans Crossing	Fair*
Pareora River at Huts	Fair*
Temuka River at SH1	Fair*
Waihi River at Gorge	Good*
Waihi River at Wilson Street footbridge	Poor
Caroline Bay mid beach	Good*
Timaru Coast Yacht Club	Very Good
West Caroline Bay	Fair*
Mackenzie District
Lake Alexandrina at both huts	Good
Lake Opuha at Ewarts Corner Boatramp	Fair
Lake Opuha at Recreation Reserve	Very Good
Lake Ruataniwha at camping ground	Fair
Lake Tekapo Beach	Very Good
Opihi River at SH79, Fairlie	Insufficient data
Twizel River at Picnic area	Fair*
Waimate District
Hakataramea River at SH82	Good*
Lake Aviemore at Te Akatarawa Camp	Good
Lake Aviemore at Waitangi	Good
Otaio River at Gorge	Good*
Waihao River at Black Hole	Very Poor
Waihao River at Bradshaws Bridge	Good*
Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Road (Don’s Hole)	Fair
Waitaki District
Lake Aviemore on Loch Laird	Fair
Lake Benmore at Pumpkin Bay	Good
Lake Benmore at Sailors Cutting	Good
Lake Middleton at north end of lake	Fair