Across the Region  

December 2018, summer edition

It’s that time of year again! Summer has arrived and that means long balmy evenings, jandals, barbeques, festive celebrations and of course plenty of swimming. 

Our region has so much to offer, with some fantastic lakes, rivers and beaches to swim at, so I encourage you to hit your favourite swim spot or even discover new ones over the holiday season. A map with the locations of each of the monitored swim spots in your district can be found over the page. 

Horizons’ swim spot monitoring programme aims to provide our communities with up to date, relevant information so they can best make decisions on where they wish to swim. Results are available on the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website as well as www.horizons.govt.nz. These sites are a fantastic resource, accessible via mobile, tablet or home computer, and very easy to check before heading to your favourite swim spot.

As the days become longer and drier, I also want to take this opportunity to remind farmers to keep an eye on soil moisture, and for consent holders to comply with their water take conditions. We have already experienced drier than usual periods over the last few months and anticipate city and district councils will have water restrictions in place on occasion.

Enjoy the holiday break, take care and keep safe. I look forward to seeing you in 2019.

Bruce Gordon
CHAIR

Swim Spot Monitoring

Here at Horizons we are continuing our swim spot monitoring programme in order to provide our communities with reliable, accurate information regarding water quality. In 2016, we increased the number of sites that we monitor each swim season from 17 to over 80 swim spots. From early November until the end of April samples are taken from these sites on a weekly basis and sent to an independent and accredited laboratory for testing. They are tested for faecal indicator bacteria including E. coli in freshwater and Enterococci in coastal waters. Our team also check each site for phormidium, known as potentially toxic algae or cyanobacteria. The bacteria and cyanobacteria results are made available on Horizons’ and LAWA’s website, so that you and your family can make an informed choice and about when and where to swim in our region.

In addition to our swim spot monitoring programme, Horizons monitors water quality from sites across the region on a monthly basis. Water collected from these sites is tested for levels of nutrients, bacteria, sediment, clarity and physico-chemical stressors such as pH and temperature. We also have a network that measures some aspects of water quality on a continuous basis (every 15 minutes). All of this data helps us to make informed decisions about what work programmes we need to prioritise and implement to help improve water quality in our region. Currently this data is telling us that there is an improving trend regionally, however two thirds of sites in the Manawatū are declining so more work needs to be done. 

Last year, 48 of our region’s swim spots were swimmable more than 75 per cent of the time, with 15 sites swimmable 95 per cent of the time. The best swimming sites were in the coastal areas, with several of our beaches and estuaries being swimmable all season. Our best river site was the Whanganui River at Manunui, which maintained a swimmable status 96 per cent of the time. It was a summer of extremes with heavy rain events resulting in high levels of E. coli at some sites, and long periods of hot dry weather resulting in increased amounts of potentially toxic algae cover in rivers. 

Based on feedback from our communities, we have added two new sites to our programme this year - Ototoka Stream at Beach Road in Whanganui and Mangawarariki at Ruahine Dress Circle, north of Rangiwahia in the Manawatū.

Action From Results

Swimmability in our region is determined by parameters such as cyanobacteria and E. coli. A recent report, commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment and Horizons found strong evidence of regional improvement in water quality over the past ten years for sediment (which is associated with cyanobacteria growth), as well as E. coli. 

The study, by Land Water People (LWP) and reviewed by NIWA and StatsNZ, found a link between the proportion of an upstream catchment that has been subject to land management interventions, and the degree of water quality improvements. Horizons, along with landowners, iwi and community groups, have been doing a huge amount of work to improve the state of our rivers and streams. Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) targets erosion prone hill country, while our freshwater programme assists farmers and community groups with fencing and planting, all of which is beginning to make a difference. 

What’s more, in order to reduce the impact of faecal bacteria on swimming suitability Horizons has been prioritising work in areas where E. coli levels exceed guideline values. This work includes intensive monitoring surveys and faecal source tracking to determine the source of the bacteria (generally cows, sheep, birds or human), working with landowners in identified catchments to exclude stock from waterways and plant riparian margins, and working with district councils to install UV treatment on wastewater discharges and/or seek funding for land application of wastewater. 

Explaining the Lingo

We often hear about levels of E. coli or cyanobacteria as indicators of water quality but what are they? Why do we measure them and why do we need to be wary if they reach high levels? 

E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gut of warm-blooded mammals, including people and birds. Common sources of E. coli are untreated human wastewater discharges, stormwater run-off and animal waste. Too much E. coli means that the water is likely to be unsafe to drink or swim in and can cause infection. 

Cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae) are microscopic organisms that play a very important role in our aquatic ecosystems. Cyanobacteria inhabit all natural waters and usually only become a problem when they increase to high concentrations, forming ‘blooms’. An increasing number of cyanobacterial species are known to produce toxins that can be a threat to humans and animals if consumed or if people come into contact with them during recreational activities. 

In most instances, dog deaths have been associated with dogs eating a mat forming cyanobacteria called phormodium, which produce a deep earthy odour that dogs seem to be attracted to. 

If you are interested in finding out more on E. coli, cyanobacteria and the science behind the measuring and reporting of these indicators, check out the handy factsheets at www.lawa.org.nz. 

What To Consider Before Diving In

Water quality is just one of a number of things to consider before diving in at your favourite swim spot. It is also important to remember: 

• If you see musty-smelling, black mat-like growth during low flows, avoid swimming. 
• To look for potential hazards such as unstable cliffs and banks, sunken rocks and logs, and rips at beaches. 
• If it’s three days after rain and the water is not dirty or flowing fast, it should be safe to swim. 

When checking the water quality status on LAWA or our website, you’ll see a grading for each site according to a handy traffic light system that is part of the Ministry of Health and Ministry for the Environment guidelines. The system provides guidance to Councils and District Health Boards on how they should act when certain levels of indicator bacteria or algae are detected. For our lakes and rivers: 

If a site falls into the red category we contact Public Health, who advise when warning signs need to be erected and that information is provided to the public that the site is considered unsuitable for recreational use. 

SWIM SPOT MONITORING
RESULTS FOR 2017-18

Check our your favourite swim spot, from all our districts below and see how it rated last summer, for the proportion of time from 1 Nov 2017 – 30 Apr 2018 that a site was suitable for swimming. Sites were tested for bacteria and potentially toxic algae.

Last summer the region experienced extreme weather with heavy rain events leading to high levels of E. coli at some sites, and long periods of hot dry weather resulting in increased amounts of potentially toxic algae cover in rivers. 

Visit www.lawa.org.nz to find out current swim spot ratings for your favourite swim spots. 

RUAPEHU SWIM SPOTS

WHANGANUI SWIM SPOTS

RANGITĪKEI AND MANAWATŪ SWIM SPOTS

PALMERSTON NORTH SWIM SPOTS

TARARUA SWIM SPOTS

HOROWHENUA SWIM SPOTS

LAWA.ORG.NZ

 Visit www.lawa.org.nz to find our latest monitoring results under their ‘Can I Swim Here?’ module. There you’ll also be able to learn more about what each swim spot has to offer, such as picnic tables, toilets and camping facilities. 

For those in the Manawatū Catchment, check out the new and improved www.manawaturiver.co.nz website and 2018 Progress Report for the Manawatū River. 

SWIM, SPLASH AND SHARE OUR REGION TO WIN!

From jet boating and exploring the Bridge to Nowhere area like last year’s winner, to picnicking in the Pohangina or swinging into the Whanganui River at Mosquito Point, our region is full of fantastic swim spots ready for you to enjoy this summer. 

Plus we’re offering you the chance to swim and win. Simply post a pic of your favourite swim spot to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #swiminourregion by 23 April 2019. Be sure to tag the Horizons Region location too, and you’re in the draw to win an adventure package for four, up to the value of $1,500. See www.horizons.govt.nz for more details. 

Also stay tuned to our social accounts for details about a river clean up at a local swim spot near you early in the new year. 

WATER USE DURING SUMMER

However, it’s not only consent holders who need to manage the amount of water used in our region. We can all do our bit to conserve water over the summer months. 

TOP TIPS FOR WATER CONSERVATION: 

• Turn off your tap when brushing your teeth - this can save six litres of water per minute. 
• Fix a dripping tap – a dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water per day. 
• Take shorter showers – if you cut your shower time, you can save up to 20 litres of water a minute. 
• Use full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher - this cuts out unnecessary washes in between. 
• Use a bucket of soapy water and sponge to clean your car instead of a hose - this can save 10-15 litres of water per minute. 
• Adhere to water restrictions put in place by your city or district council. 

Over the summer months we see plenty of hot weather and potentially long periods with little or no rain. This of course can lead to low flowing rivers and streams. 

The majority of the water allocated for ‘consumptive use’ in the Horizons Region is for agricultural activities and to supply the region’s municipal areas with water. Therefore, Horizons, along with consent holders, have a responsibility to ensure we manage the amount of water drawn from our streams, rivers and riparian bores, especially when supplies are low. As part of their water permits, consent holders must reduce or cease abstraction when river flows reach restriction levels. Consent holders with larger takes can keep an eye on their water use by checking their water meters, which are installed as part of their consent conditions. This data is also fed back to Horizons to automatically monitor users’ compliance and inform decision making on water allocation. 

COUNCIL MEETINGS - FEBRUARY 2019

• Regional Council, 12 February, 10am 
• Strategy and Policy Committee, 12 February, to follow Council Meeting 
• Catchment Operations Committee, 13 February, 9am 
• Passenger Transport Committee, 19 February, 10am 
• Regional Council, 26 February, 10am 

Unless otherwise stated meetings are open to the public and will be held at Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North. Please note all details were correct at time of sending. However, for the most up-to-date dates and times for council meetings please check www.horizons.govt.nz.