Unsafe recreational water quality at Ashley River | Rakahuri at SH1
Canterbury
17 March 2026
Health New Zealand has lifted its health warning at Ashley River | Rakahuri at SH1.
Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels at this site are now below guideline values and the health warning has been removed with the water at this site now suitable for recreational use.
Dr Annabel Begg, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says: “This is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users who would have been avoiding the water following the high levels of contamination.”
Keep up to date with current health warnings
6 March 2026
Health New Zealand has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in Ashley River | Rakahuri at SH1.
Dr Cheryl Brunton, Medical Officer of Health for Health New Zealand’s National Public Health Service, says “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.
More information
Canterbury region - LAWAexternal link