Health Warning Lifted At Waiau Uwha River At SH70

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora unit has lifted its health warning at Waiau Uwha River at SH70.

Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels in Waiau Uwha River at SH70 are now below guideline values and the health warning issued on 28 March 2025 has been removed with the water of Waiau Uwha River at SH70 suitable for recreational use.

Dr Cheryl Brunton, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says “this is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users in Waiau Uwha River at SH70 who would have been avoiding the water following the high levels of contamination”.

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 matter 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/

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