Cantabrians urged to check it’s safe to swim this long weekend as many beaches remain unsuitable for swimming

Swimmers are being urged to stay up to date on the quality of their favourite Canterbury beaches, lakes and rivers to confirm they’re safe to swim in this Canterbury Anniversary Weekend.

“A number of sites within Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours, including popular spots like Akaroa Main Beach, Corsair Bay, Rāpaki Bay, Sandy Bay, Diamond Harbour Beach and Purau Beach, remain unsuitable for swimming due to the long-term grade and overall bacterial risk from contact with the water at these sites,” says Dr Cheryl Brunton, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health.

When you’re heading for the water, don’t forget to visit ‘Can I Swim Here?’ section of the Land Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website at www.lawa.org.nz to view the latest information. Sites are monitored weekly by Environment Canterbury from November to March. As water quality can change, it’s best to check the LAWA website for up-to-date information so you can make informed decisions about where’s best to swim.

“It’s worth noting that no changes in long-term grades have occurred at Lyttelton Harbour this year. This means the only spots deemed suitable for swimming are Paradise Beach – which holds a good grade – and Church and Cass Bays which both remain fair.”

“Each summer season, Environment Canterbury monitors the water quality of many popular swimming sites around the region weekly and advises which waterways contain unsafe levels of bacteria or cyanobacteria (toxic algae). Exposure to these could be harmful to swimmers’ health which means temporary health warnings may also be issued by Te Whatu Ora. That’s why it’s really important to check that it is safe to swim at your favourite spot before you jump in.”

“After heavy rain, other recreational water sites are also likely to be contaminated from rural and urban run-off. As a precaution, avoid swimming in the harbour, rivers, streams, lakes or estuaries for at least 48 hours after heavy or prolonged rainfall, even at sites that usually have good water quality.”

Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa, which can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections. People should also avoid eating shellfish from the harbour after heavy rainfall.

“If people heed the warnings, we can all have a safe summer enjoying our waterways,” says Dr Cheryl Brunton.

For more information on recreational water quality in Canterbury, see https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2023/the-best-spots-for-recreation-this-summer/.

ENDS

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has advised that the industrial action planned for Wednesday 9 August has been withdrawn.

Our priority now is to ensure that Waitaha Canterbury can deliver care as normal.

Please note some services may still be affected for a time while we revise rosters and where possible, schedule outpatient appointments and planned surgeries for that day.

We are contacting people whose planned (elective) surgeries or outpatient appointments may have been deferred as part of planning for the strike. Where possible these will be reinstated or rebooked at the earliest opportunity.

If your surgery or outpatient appointment was deferred and you haven’t been contacted, please call the specific service detailed on your appointment letter. If you can’t find the letter, call the switchboard on 03 364-0640 between 8am and 5pm and ask to be connected to the appropriate service.

Patients can access urgent and emergency services as usual.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while the team works on revising all the schedules.

To find out more about this process, please visit: Te Whatu Ora welcomes the vote from nurses’ and midwives today to accept the latest collective agreement offer.