Although you might be fooled by the recent wet weather, summer has arrived which means that Otago Regional Council (ORC) is monitoring popular swimming spots around Otago, from now until the end of March, to make sure they're safe for swimming, with even more precaution due to the uncommon quantity of rainfall seen in the last few weeks. 

“Summer recreation monitoring occurs at one spot in Wānaka, at Roys Bay Shore. The nearest monitoring site is Lake Hāwea Holiday Park. Water quality in Wānaka is generally safe for recreational activities, however—as with all recreational sites—there can be a heightened health risk after heavy or prolonged rain,” said a spokesperson from ORC. 

The water is regularly tested for bacteria that can make people sick, from skin and eye irritations to upset tummies. “Freshwater can contain disease-causing bacteria and potentially toxic algae, and — depending on their concentration — there is a risk to people's health when they consume or come in contact with contaminated water. Because ORC is not a health agency, we do not monitor particular instances of people getting sick from freshwater contact,” explained an ORC spokesperson. 

Otago generally has good water quality, but even sites with good water quality can be affected by heavy rainfall that washes contaminants off the land and into the water. “The latest water quality results for Lake Wānaka will be available on LAWA's website. We recommend that people avoid swimming in lakes and rivers for at least two days after heavy rain or if the water is murky and you can't see your toes when standing calf-deep, and that's certainly the case for Wānaka after the recent flooding,” recommended the ORC spokesperson. 

When asked if ORC would be responsible if someone got sick in an area that was promoted as safe, the answer from ORC was straight-forward: “No. The monitoring data we provide through LAWA helps people make a decision about when and where to swim, but it is only a snapshot in time and water quality can change quickly”. Therefore, before you head to your favourite beach, river or lake this summer head to the LAWA website to confirm the water is safe for swimming.