New Zealanders are being encouraged to do their surfing online before hitting the beach this summer. Beach goers can check the quality of the water at their nearest beach thanks to environmental monitoring website Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). <\/p>\n
Information on water quality at beaches within the Horizons Region is now accessible online from http:\/\/www.lawa.org.nz<\/a>. The website provides a seasonal guide to beaches water quality based on the last three years of monitoring. <\/p>\n \"Beaches are a key part of many New Zealanders lifestyles and its important that people can swim without getting sick from contaminated water,\" explains Bruce Gordon, chairman Horizons Regional Council. <\/p>\n \"By reviewing bacteria levels at beaches over time, LAWA allows us to assess to what extent the water at our beaches is affected by bacteria and whether this poses a health risk to the public.\" <\/p>\n Based on the last three years of enterococci data, Mr Gordon says that the majority of monitored beaches are suitable for swimming. <\/p>\n \"Four of the six beaches we monitor in this Region are classified as having a low or very low risk of causing infection or illness. The remaining two are classified as moderate risk.\" <\/p>\n As well as the seasonal guide, LAWA also provides the results of the most recent weekly beach monitoring, allowing users to see the latest bacteria reading and how this might affect current suitability for swimming. <\/p>\n Read together, the seasonal indicator and weekly monitoring results give people a good idea of the water quality. However, Mr Gordon says people still need to think twice before swimming after heavy rain. <\/p>\n \"Even a low risk beach can be unsuitable to swim at from time to time and we recommend that you avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.\" <\/p>\n He also advised people to remember LAWA provided information on water quality but other hazards may by present. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the original here:<\/p>\n Horizons' beaches on show for summer<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Zealanders are being encouraged to do their surfing online before hitting the beach this summer. Beach goers can check the quality of the water at their nearest beach thanks to environmental monitoring website Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Information on water quality at beaches within the Horizons Region is now accessible online from http:\/\/www.lawa.org.nz<\/a>. Continue reading