Unsafe recreational water quality at Ashley River | Rakahuri at SH1
Canterbury
Day Issued
Friday 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