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Monday, December 17, 2012

Encouraging Safe Swimming This Summer

The weekend’s weather saw many people getting out and enjoying the Region’s swim spots with all swim spots monitored by Horizons Regional Council in the Manawatu graded green for swimming.

Horizons conducts weekly water quality monitoring at 16 popular swimming spots throughout the Region from November to April every year. Another 29 sites including the Pohangina, Kahuterawa, Tokomaru and Oroua Rivers have a permanent grading system in place, based on knowledge of water quality at these sites.

Water quality testing provides a good indication for those heading out for a dip but Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said it’s important to remain mindful of the risks presented by the natural environment.

“We have some wonderful swimming holes in our Region and we encourage people to get out and enjoy themselves this summer. At the same time, we need to be aware of things like sunken logs, rocks and cliffs to make sure we stay safe,” he said.

The reminder comes after a rock fall at Raumai Reserve in the Pohangina Valley on Sunday prompted swimmers to contact Horizons.

“Our duty officer received a call on Sunday morning alerting us to a rock fall at Raumai, a popular Manawatu District Council reserve,’ said Mr McCartney.

“Luckily no swimmers were hurt but it is a reminder of the need to take care when swimming in any river or stream.”

One of Horizons’ operations team visited the site along with Mr McCartney who lives nearby the reserve.

“We put up a temporary warning message in order to mark out the danger and notified Manawatu District Council to encourage them to look at installing permanent warning signs,” he said.

Manawatu District Council has issued a need for care and advises swimmers to take care in the area.

Safe swim spot information is regularly updated in the water section of Horizons Regional Council’s website www.horizons.govt.nz

Results provide a good indication but swimmers are encouraged to use the following rules of thumb: if the water looks clean and clear and it’s a sunny day it should be fine for swimming, after a period of rainfall wait three rain-free days before swimming at river swimming spots.

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ENDS

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