Freshwater beaches not the best for swimming

Between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of New Zealand freshwater beaches are unsafe for swimming because of poor water quality, according to a new report by the Ministry for the Environment.

The report, Snapshot - Recreational Water Quality in New Zealand, found that only 1 per cent to 2 per cent of coastal beaches had water quality that was frequently too poor to swim in based on data from the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 summers.

Common sources of micro-biological pollution included sewage and stormwater run-offs, septic tank outlets, sanitation discharges from boat toilets and farm effluent run-off.

Environment Minister David Benson-Pope said central and local government had committed more than $100 million to clean up Lake Taupo and the Rotorua lakes, where beaches are regularly tested to keep swimmers informed about the water quality.

The latest water quality results on Safeswim website for Auckland City, North Shore and Rodney councils shows the beaches in these areas are safe for swimming.