Health Warning lifted for the Ōpihi River at Saleyards Bridge, SH79/Fairlie and Raincliff

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has lifted its health warning at Ōpihi River at Saleyards Bridge, SH79/Fairlie and Raincliff.

Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels in the Ōpihi River are now below guideline values and the health warning has been removed with the water Ōpihi River suitable for recreational use.

“This is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users of the Ōpihi River at Saleyards Bridge, SH79/Fairlie and Raincliff who would have been avoiding the water following the high levels of contamination,” says Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health, National Public Health Service.

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/

Or contact Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777:

https://www.cph.co.nz/your-health/recreational-water/

For more information about Mahinga Kai:

https://www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/saf0112.pdf

ENDS

For further information, contact:

Karen Berry
Public Health Communications Lead, Te Waipounamu
National Public Health Service
Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora 
021 139 7442
kberry@scdhb.health.nz