Swimming Water Quality RSS Feed - Tasman District Council

About Water Quality Sampling

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:09:27 +1200

About Water Quality Sampling

This page explains how swimming water quality testing is carried out in the Tasman District.

Two-yearly Cycle

A two-yearly sampling cycle is used. One year all sites are sampled; the following year a reduced number of sites are tested. The reduced sampling plan includes the most popular beaches in the area - Lee River Reserve, Rabbit Island, Mapua, Kaiteriteri, Takaka River at Paynes Ford and Pohara.

What Do We Test For?

Coastal water is tested for enterococci and fresh water is tested for Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Enterococci and E.coli live in the gut of warm-blooded animals and are associated with both harmless and disease-causing bacteria (pathogens). Their presence indicates that faecal matter can be found in the water and that pathogens may be present. These tests are the standard indicator of potential risk.

Ministry Guidelines

Sites are sampled following Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health guidelines. Further information about why and how sampling is carried out is available from the Ministry for the Environment.

Recreational area water sampling guidelines from the Ministry for the Environment

Which Sites Are Monitored?

The decision about which sites get monitored is based on the risk of contamination by disease-causing organisms and the number of swimmers. Estimates of the numbers of people using over 50 of Tasman’s most popular river swimming holes and coastal beaches was collected during the 2010-11 summer. This information is also used for improving the management of facilities at particular Council reserves.

More information can be found in the following report.

Tasman's Natural Swimming Holes and Beaches - Popularity and Effects on the Recreational Experience 2011

Related Information

More detailed information about swimming water can be found in the following end-of-season and summary reports:

Best Island Boat Ramp - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:09:54 +1200

Best Island is 10 minutes' drive from Richmond, however there is no public access to the boat ramp or jetty by road.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 10 and 20 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has two to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational uses are swimming and boating.

Buller River at Murchison Campground Eel Hole - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:12:34 +1200

Kaiteriteri Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:58 +1200

Kaiteriteri Beach is fifteen minutes drive north of Motueka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 400 and 600 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 100 to 500 visitors a day.

The main recreational uses are swimming, waterskiing and kayaking.

The water quality at Little Kaiteriteri beach is also monitored.

Little Kaiteriteri Beach Swimming Water Quality

Kaiteriteri Beach Water Quality 2011-2012 Season

Kina Ski Lanes at Boat Ramp - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:15:37 +1200

Kina is 15 minutes drive south of Motueka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the boat ramp has between 30 and 60 visitors a day.

At other times the boat ramp has 10 to 20 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is water skiing.

Lee River Reserve - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:09 +1200

Lee River Reserve is 10 minutes drive east of Brightwater.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the reserve has between 40 and 80 visitors a day.

At other times the reserve has 20 to 40 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Little Kaiteriteri Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:58 +1200

Little Kaiteriteri Beach is fifteen minutes drive north of Motueka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 200 and 400 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 80 to 150 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Mapua Leisure Park Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:18:52 +1200

Mapua Leisure Park is twenty minutes drive northwest of Richmond.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 200 and 300 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 10 to 20 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Mapua Leisure Park Water Quality 2011-2012 Season

Marahau Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:19:25 +1200

Marahau Beach is twenty minutes drive north of Motueka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 20 to 50 visitors a day.

The main recreational uses are swimming and kayaking.

Motueka River Alexanders Bridge - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:20:03 +1200

The Motueka River at Alexanders Bridge is 10 minutes drive southwest of Motueka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 40 and 80 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 10 to 20 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Motupiko River Quinney's Bush - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:20:41 +1200

The Motupiko River at Quinney’s Bush is a five minute drive from Kohatu.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 40 and 80 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 10 to 20 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Pakawau Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:21:11 +1200

Pakawau Beach - Swimming Water Quality Archive

This site is no longer being sampled, however, information about the site and previous water quality results can be viewed below.

Enterococcai Results for the 2009-2010 Season

Date	Enterococci [MPN/100mL]
1/03/2010 10:55:00 a.m.	<10
23/02/2010 8:50:00 a.m.	<10
9/02/2010 10:38:00 a.m.	20
2/02/2010 8:20:00 a.m.	87
26/01/2010 8:50:00 a.m.	<10
19/01/2010 9:25:00 a.m.	<10
14/01/2010 11:10:00 a.m.	<10
12/01/2010 11:10:00 a.m.	254
5/01/2010 8:10:00 a.m.	10
22/12/2009 7:15:00 a.m.	<10
15/12/2009 9:30:00 a.m.	<10
8/12/2009 8:45:00 a.m.	<10
1/12/2009 9:20:00 a.m.	150
24/11/2009 12:50:00 p.m.	<10
17/11/2009 12:39:00 p.m.	<10

About Pakawau Beach

Pakawau Beach is a 15 minute drive northwest of Collingwood.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 50 and 80 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 20 to 40 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Map of Site Location

Google Map

Disclaimer

Tasman District Council has exercised all reasonable skill and care in collecting and displaying this information. However, the data is provisional, and may be incorrect until checked by staff. Data should be used with caution where there are safety, monetary, or operational consequences if the data is incorrect. Note also, the data may be changed at a later time.

Parapara Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:21:41 +1200

Parapara Beach - Swimming Water Quality Archive

This site is no longer being sampled, however, information about the site and previous water quality results can be viewed below:

Enterococcai Results for the 2009-2010 Season

Date	Enterococci [MPN/100mL]
1/03/2010 10:30:00 a.m.	<10
23/02/2010 9:40:00 a.m.	<10
9/02/2010 11:15:00 a.m.	<10
2/02/2010 8:45:00 a.m.	10
26/01/2010 9:20:00 a.m.	<10
19/01/2010 9:50:00 a.m.	<10
12/01/2010 11:40:00 a.m.	20
5/01/2010 8:40:00 a.m.	<10
22/12/2009 7:40:00 a.m.	<10
15/12/2009 9:50:00 a.m.	<10
8/12/2009 9:05:00 a.m.	<10
1/12/2009 9:45:00 a.m.	111
24/11/2009 12:10:00 p.m.	<10
17/11/2009 12:10:00 p.m.	<10

About Parapara Beach

Parapara Beach is a 10 minute drive southeast of Collingwood.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 20 to 40 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Map of Site Location

Google Map

Disclaimer

Patons Rock Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:22:13 +1200

Patons Rock Beach is a 15 minute drive northwest of Takaka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 10 to 30 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Pohara Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:22:55 +1200

Pohara Beach is a 10 minute drive northeast Takaka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 20 and 30 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 5 to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Pohara Beach Water Quality 2011-2012 Season

Rabbit Island Back Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:23:14 +1200

The back beach at Rabbit Island forms part of the Waimea Inlet. The beach is accessed off Redwood Road, from State Highway 60.

During the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 100 and 300 visitors a day. At other times the beach has 50 to 100 visitors a day.

The main activities are swimming and waterskiing.

Rabbit Island Main Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:05 +1200

Rabbit Island Beach is accessed from Redwood Road, off State Highway 60.

During the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 100 and 300 visitors a day.

At other times there are between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

The main recreational activity is swimming.

Rabbit Island Water Quality 2009-2010 Season

Rangihaeata Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:34 +1200

Rangihaeata Beach - Swimming Water Quality Archive

This site is no longer being sampled, however, information about the site and previous water quality results can be viewed below:

Enteroccocai Results for the 2009-2010 Season

Date	Enterococci [MPN/100mL]
23/02/2010 10:43:00 a.m.	<10
9/02/2010 12:14:00 p.m.	10
2/02/2010 9:55:00 a.m.	53
26/01/2010 10:35:00 a.m.	<10
19/01/2010 10:45:00 a.m.	<10
12/01/2010 11:30:00 a.m.	<10
5/01/2010 9:25:00 a.m.	<10
22/12/2009 9:30:00 a.m.	<10
15/12/2009 10:40:00 a.m.	42
8/12/2009 10:00:00 a.m	10
1/12/2009 10:30:00 a.m.	178
24/11/2009 11:19:00 a.m.	<10
17/11/2009 11:30:00 a.m.	<10

About Rangihaeata Beach

Rangihaeata Beach which is approximately 5 minutes drive from Takaka

The main recreational use for this area is swimming.

Map of Site Location

Google Map

Disclaimer

Roding River Twin Bridges - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:59 +1200

The Roding River at Twin Bridges is a 20 minute drive from Richmond.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 20 to 40 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Takaka River Paynes Ford - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:25:35 +1200

The Takaka River at Paynes Ford is a 10 minute drive southeast of Takaka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 20 to 40 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Tata Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:26:12 +1200

Tata Beach is a 15 minute drive northeast Takaka.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 20 and 30 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 5 to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational uses are swimming and kayaking.

Totara Avenue Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:26:28 +1200

Totara Avenue Beach - Swimming Water Quality Archive

This site is no longer being sampled, however, information about the site and previous water quality results can be viewed below:

Enterococcai Results for the 2009-2010 Season

Date	Enterococci [MPN/100mL]
1/03/2010 11:05:00 a.m.	<10
23/02/2010 9:05:00 a.m.	<10
9/02/2010 10:45:00 a.m.	<10
2/02/2010 8:05:00 a.m.	10
26/01/2010 8:40:00 a.m.	<10
19/01/2010 9:10:00 a.m.	<10
12/01/2010 10:00:00 a.m.	10
5/01/2010 8:20:00 a.m.	53
22/12/2009 7:20:00 a.m.	<10
15/12/2009 9:20:00 a.m.	<10
8/12/2009 8:30:00 a.m.	<10
1/12/2009 9:30:00 a.m.	306
24/11/2009 12:41:00 p.m.	<10
17/11/2009 12:30:00 p.m.	<10

About Totara Avenue Beach

Totara Avenue Beach is a 15 minute drive northwest of Collingwood.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 10 to 20 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 0 to 5 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Map of Site Location

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Disclaimer

Tukurua Beach - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:27:23 +1200

Tukurua Beach is a 10 drive southeast of Collingwood.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the beach has between 50 and 100 visitors a day.

At other times the beach has 10-30 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Tukurua River Playground - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:28:35 +1200

Tukurua is approximately 10 minutes drive north of Takaka. This site is at Tukurua Campground playground.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between around 100 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 5 to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational uses are swimming and camping.

Tukurua River at SH60 - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:29:40 +1200

This site is located upstream of the playground site.

This is not a swimming site, rather it is used as a reference site.

Waimea River Appleby Bridge - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:30:32 +1200

The Waimea River at Appleby Bridge is a 10 minute drive northwest of Richmond.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 20 and 30 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 5 to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.

Wairoa River - Swimming Water Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:31:14 +1200

The Wairoa River at WEIS Weir is a 20 minute drive from Richmond.

At the peak Christmas-New Year period the river has between 20 and 30 visitors a day.

At other times the river has 5 to 10 visitors a day.

The main recreational use is swimming.