Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has lifted health warnings issued for the Waihi River at both the Waihi River Gorge and Waihi River upstream of Wilson Street footbridge.

Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels at the Waihi River Gorge and Waihi River, upstream of Wilson Street footbridge are now below guideline values and the health warnings issued on 24 December 2024 have been removed. The water quality at Waihi River Gorge and Waihi River, Upstream of Wilson Street Footbridge is now suitable for recreational use.

“This is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users of the Waihi River Gorge and Waihi River, Upstream of Wilson Street Footbridge who would have been avoiding the water following the high levels of contamination after recent rainfall. They can now get back in the water without increased risk of illness”, says Dr Annabel Begg, Public Health Medical Specialist for the National Public Health Service.

When a health warning is in place, 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 bacteria may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

For further details visit: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region/ or contact Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777: https://www.cph.co.nz/your-health/recreational-water/

For more information about Mahinga Kai: https://www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/saf0112.pdf