Health New Zealand has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in a single sample taken from Peketā Beach.

Dr Imogen Evans, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service, says: “Water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens."

Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

“The sites where water quality is affected are listed on Environment Canterbury’s website," she says.

For further details visit:
https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region

To contact your local National Public Health Service office visit:
https://info.health.nz/locations/canterbury/national-public-health-service-canterbury-west-coast

To keep up to date with current health warnings visit:
https://info.health.nz/health-alerts

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