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‘Can I swim here’ launched today, includes 25 Otago sites
‘Can I swim here’ launched today, includes 25 Otago sites
A new ‘Can I swim here?’ online tool
launched today means Otago residents and visitors can enjoy
our rivers, lakes, and beaches with confidence this summer.
The online tool shows the most up-to-date water quality
information for 25 sites across our region and is freely
available on LAWA.org.nz/swim.
With families making the important decision of where to swim this Christmas and after a great recent spell of sunshine, the launch is well timed. It comes two weeks after Otago Regional Council staff started their weekly summer-season water quality monitoring.
Environmental Resource Scientist Rachel Ozanne is part of the local water monitoring team and is pleased to see information from samples they collect is freely available to the public.
“Each week we collect samples from 25 sites across the region and they are sent to an independent lab for water quality testing.
“We’re interested in the E.coli result as this is a human health risk. The results are shown on LAWA’s ‘Can I swim here?’ with unsafe for swimming E.coli levels marked red and good levels marked green,” said Rachel.
If toxic algae, a mat-forming Cyanobacteria called Phormidium, has been tested for then this result is also shown.
The LAWA website contains valuable information for swimmers on other swim smart things to look out for before taking a dip. This includes advice on checking if the water is clean and clear, avoiding swimming for two days after heavy rainfall, and looking out for other possible hazards.
Director of Stakeholder Engagement Sian Sutton is looking forward to using LAWA’s ‘Can I swim here’ tool this summer.
“This tool will help families get out and enjoy the stunning rivers, lakes, and beaches our region has to offer.
“The website covers popular sites from Lake Wanaka to St Clair Beach, so I recommend people thinking of heading out for a swim take a look,” said Sian.
LAWA is a
partnership between councils, Cawthron Institute, Ministry
for the Environment and Massey University and has been
supported by the Tindall
Foundation.
ENDS
The
new ‘Can I swim here?’- www.lawa.org.nz/swim
For more information - https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn
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