Skip to main content

What measurements and conditions determine whether a river is safe to swim in?

Answered Question 17309 (2026)
Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Rachel Brooking

Member for Dunedin · Labour Party

Question

  • What measurements and conditions determine whether a river is safe to swim in?

Answered by

Hon Andrew Hoggard

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister for the Environment

Answer

E. coli and cyanobacteria are measured to determine, based on risk of exposure, if rivers are suitable for swimming and other water recreation activities in rivers. These should be targeted on areas where the community want to swim, at the times they want swim.