River testing shows high levels of contamination

September 28, 2010

MEDIA STATEMENT

River testing shows high levels of contamination; information online.

Water quality testing shows that high levels of faecal contamination are present in Christchurch and Kaiapoi rivers and parts of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai following the September 4 earthquake.

However the sampling, undertaken by Environment Canterbury and the Christchurch City Council in partnership with Community and Public Health, shows that the beaches of Pegasus Bay, including New Brighton and Sumner, are not affected by faecal contamination.

E. coli concentrations in the tidal reaches of the Avon-Otakaro, Styx, Kaiapoi and Waimakariri rivers and at the northern part of the estuary are elevated above or at the high end of the range typically measured in these waterways.

Environment Canterbury surface water quality scientist Michele Stevenson said that increased sampling after the earthquake will continue while sewerage infrastructure is being repaired, so people can be forewarned.

“The results being recorded are high in certain areas, such as the lower reaches of the Avon-Otakaro, although the results are variable across our test sites,” said Michele Stevenson.

“Water quality testing does occasionally produce results like that during our normal summer weekly monitoring. However one major difference with the current situation is that there is a significant human sewage component to the faecal contamination which increases the risk of disease-causing pathogens in the water.”

Ms Stevenson said that the increased risk to water quality will persist in some places, especially as the Christchurch City Council is warning that full repair of sewer pipes could take up to a year.

“Community and Public Health has already warned residents that shellfish and whitebait are dangerous as they will be contaminated with human faeces and could lead to gastroenteritis, hepatitis or other serious health conditions if eaten,” said Ms Stevenson.

“The key message here is that people need to be regularly checking the status of water quality and local authorities will be working with water users and organisations to ensure they are kept informed of developments as they occur.”

The district councils have put up signage along affected waterways where results indicate that the water may be dangerous. Information will also be posted on the Environment Canterbury website to keep the public informed of where public health risk is higher than normal.

Information on water quality and shellfish safety around Christchurch is online at http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/pages/water-contamination-christchurch-post-4-september-2010-earthquake.aspx

ENDS

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