With summer upon us in full force, Horizons Regional Council’s annual water testing at popular swimming and recreational spots is well underway, giving people the information they need to escape the heat.
Horizons does weekly monitoring of water quality at 13 swimming spots. Based on the results, the spots are given a green light when it’s good to swim, amber when precaution should be taken, and red if it’s best not to swim.
Test results for the week of 15 December show 10 of the 13 spots have a green light, great news for those wanting to cool off.
While Horizons carries out weekly testing at 13 spots, there are 29 popular swimming areas that have a permanent grading system, based on knowledge of the water quality at the sites.
The top grades for beaches listed on the website are Foxton, Himatangi Waitarere and Castle Cliff.
Top river spots listed are Kahuterawa Stream, Ohau River at Gladstone Reserve and Kimberley Reserve, Pohangina River at Totara Reserve, Rangitīkei River at Mangaweka, and Tokomaru River at Horseshoe Bend.