Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines for Marine and Freshwater Recreational Areas
June 2003, Ref. ME474
These guidelines will assist councils/agencies to better inform their communities of the risks related to swimming at their bathing beaches. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment consider it very important that councils are aware of their responsibilities and that the public are informed of the health risks in a way that is consistent with these guidelines.
They completely replace the 2002 version of the Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines and all previous microbiological and bacteriological water quality guidelines.
The Ministry has received very useful feedback from agencies implementing the Guidelines. That feedback has been collated into a selection of frequently asked questions.
Availability:
- Read entire document online (HTML)
- Download PDF (2.78 MB)
- Printed copies are not available
Bathewatch – beach bathing grading software
After comprehensive trialling the beach grading software Bathewatch is now publicly available for downloading. The Bathewatch software has been specifically designed to help councils determine the suitability for recreation grade (SFRG) or beach grade. An updated version of the software will be available in late 2004 (see question 16 of the frequently asked questions for detail on changes being made).
If you have any questions about Bathewatch please send us an email, environmental.reporting@mfe.govt.nz.
- Bathewatch software (application 200 KB) - Download this file to a location on your computer. Clicking on this file starts Bathewatch.
- Bathewatch user guide, Ref. ME478 (PDF 657 KB)
- Hazen Percentile Calculator - This shows how BatheWatch software calculates the 95th percentile of data entered.
Further information
- See the fresh water page for other guidelines, tools, reports, policies, projects and partnerships related to fresh water.
- For a full list publications relating to water refer to the water publications page.
