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City whitebaiters need to be cautious this season
City whitebaiters need to be cautious this season
Christchurch whitebaiters are being reminded of the ongoing water quality issues with the Avon /Ōtākaro and the Heathcote /Ōpāwaho rivers in Christchurch this whitebait season.
Dr Ramon Pink, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says although river quality is generally back to pre-quake levels, whitebaiters still need to take special care because of possible sewage overflows.
“Sewage overflows are still occurring intermittently and whitebaiters should look for overflow signage upstream of where they are whitebaiting,” Dr Pink says.
“During periods of rainfall there are elevated bacterial levels in the rivers because of storm water discharge. It’s important that all river users avoid contact with the rivers for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.”
Dr Pink says even without the chance of sewage overflows, whitebaiters would still be advised to avoid the city’s rivers if they can.
“Before the earthquake, Christchurch’s waterways were contaminated with duck and dog faeces and as a result rarely met recreational water standards. This is still the case,” Dr Pink says.
ENDS
Canterbury DHB
CDHB
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the
Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.
We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.
At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.
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