Swimming Water Quality
Bay of Plenty Regional Council monitors more than 80 popular coastal, river and lake recreation sites from October to March for faecal contamination (bacterial monitoring) and from October to June for toxin-forming algae species (algal bloom monitoring). Monitoring of faecal contamination indicators will recommence in October 2014.
For more information on the health impacts and symptoms from accidentally coming into contact with contaminated water, please go to the Toi Te Ora - Public Health website.
Click on the area of interest on the map below for the latest bacterial monitoring results. Move the cursor over the site for more detailed information. For further information on microbiological water quality monitoring, visit our monitoring information page.
For health advice following the Rena oil spill in the Bay of Plenty, please go to www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/rena_public
For further information on toxin-forming algae species visit our algae page.
Recommendation
You should avoid swimming in rivers for 48 hours (two days) after heavy or prolonged rain. This is because the water can be contaminated by farm and urban run-off.
If you suspect an algal bloom is present, don't swim or take part in an activity that may result in accidental consumption or exposure to water affected by algal blooms.
Go to the Rotorua Lakes Lake Health Warnings page for information on algal blooms in our lakes and our Rivers Health Warnings page for information on algal blooms in our rivers, or contact us on 0800 884 880.
The Three Tier System for Swimming Water Quality
Green
Highly likely to be uncontaminated. 'Suitable' for bathing, but requiring water managers to continue surveillance or routine monitoring.
Amber
Potentially contaminated. 'Potentially unsuitable', requiring water managers to undertake further investigation to assess suitability for recreation.
Red
Highly likely to be contaminated. 'Highly likely to be unsuitable', requiring urgent action from water managers, such as public warnings.