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Fresh water Recreational water quality
Changes in freshwater sites monitored, 2003–2009
In most summers, on average, the sites that were added to regional sampling programmes had slightly worse recreational water quality than the sites that were dropped. However, in 2007-2008, the sites added to regional sampling programmes had, on average, better water quality than the sites that were dropped.
Number of sites added or dropped from regional monitoring programmes and their average water quality, 2003-2009
| Years | Sites added | Average water quality of sites added | Sites dropped | Average water quality of sites dropped |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 to 2004-05 | 83 | 90 to <95% of samples comply | 21 | 95 to 100% of samples comply |
| 2004-05 to 2005-06 | 32 | 90 to <95% of samples comply | 23 | 95 to 100% of samples comply |
| 2005-06 to 2006-07 | 23 | 90 to <95% of samples comply | 31 | 95 to 100% of samples comply |
| 2006-07 to 2007-08 | 49 | 90 to <95% of samples comply | 39 | 75 to <90% of samples comply |
| 2007-08 to 2008-09 | 21 | 90 to <95% of samples comply | 41 | 95 to 100% of samples comply |
Notes: Compliance with the guidelines for contact recreation is based on the threshold of 550 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water sampled.
Source: Data collected by regional, city and district councils and collated by Ministry for the Environment.
Want to know more?
The snapshot report on freshwater recreational water quality for 2003 to 2009 has more detail on:
- what affects coastal water quality
- the associated public health risks
- how samples are collected
- what sites are monitored
- accessing data for beaches in your area
- what the results mean.
Individual councils may know the cause of non-compliance with guidelines at certain sites. If you would like to know more about water quality in your area, contact your local council.
Return to the compliance of water quality at freshwater swimming spots with guidelines page.
Last updated: 29 June 2009
