It’s important to continue to check your favourite swimming spots are safe to swim in throughout the summer, Otago Regional Council (ORC) senior scientist water quality and programme lead Rachel Ozanne says.

On December 1 ORC re-launched its summer recreational water monitoring programme of tests at 31 Otago sites and weekly results will continue to be posted on the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website until March 31.

Rachel said the weekly sample result is a “snapshot in time” and conditions can change. 

“It tells you what the water quality was like at the time of sampling. It’s important to remember that water quality can change over time, especially after rain.  

“That’s why we recommend that even for sites with generally good water quality, you avoid swimming two to three days after heavy rainfall because urban or agricultural run-off can affect the water quality.”

Both Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka are part of the monitoring, with up-to-date information available on Roys Bay and the Hāwea holiday park at the LAWA website. 

The remaining sites are also useful to Upper Clutha residents for any summer trips to other parts of Otago.

To use the ‘Can I Swim Here?’ function on the LAWA website, simply click on the swimming icon on the orange box (or select it from the menu bar under the search bar that says ‘Can I Swim Here?’).

“It’s easy for the public to then search for these water sites on LAWA,” Rachel said.

The map will show spots which are suitable, or not, for swimming using a traffic light colour system, Rachel said. 

Access the latest ‘Can I Swim Here?’ data on the LAWA website here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App