C2: Percentage of monitored coastal sites deemed suitable for recreational contact is increasing

Target not met

How are we doing?

A lower percentage (72 per cent) of monitored coastal sites were graded suitable for contact recreation (grade of fair or better) in 2025/26 compared to the 2023/24 baseline year (85 per cent). This result was driven by poorer water quality at several sites due to heavy rain events.

C2: Percentage of monitored coastal sites deemed suitable for recreational contact is increasing

Target not met

What we are measuring and reporting

Reporting annually on the percentage of monitored coastal sites graded suitable for contact recreation.

Baseline measure

In 2023/24, the percentage of monitored sites that were graded suitable for contact recreation was 85 per cent.

To meet the target

The percentage of sites graded suitable for contact recreation should be increasing, relative to the baseline year.

This map shows monitored coastal sites in Waitaha Canterbury and their suitability for contact recreation in 2025/26. Sites deemed suitable for contact recreation are coloured (blue). Sites deemed unsuitable for contact recreation are coloured (dark blue).

This table shows the per cent sites graded suitable for contact recreation in 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26.


Monitoring year	2023/24 baseline	2024/25	2025/26*
Per cent sites graded suitable for contact recreation	85%	85%	72%

*The reduction in the number of sites suitable for contact recreation between 2024/25 and 2025/26 was driven by poorer water quality at several sites impacted by heavy rain events.

Why are we measuring this?

The quality of water for swimming is determined by measuring ‘faecal indicator bacteria’ which indicate the levels of disease-causing organisms in the water. Enterococci, measured in coastal waters, are types of faecal bacteria that naturally occur in the gut of humans and animals. Enterococci are the biological indicator for faecal contamination of coastal swimming sites.

In coastal waters, low counts of enterococci are acceptable, but too much faecal contamination can cause gastroenteritis or infections of the ear, eye, nasal cavity, skin, and the upper respiratory tract. Monitoring the levels of enterococci in the water helps us determine the immediate risk of swimming at monitored sites, as well as how suitable each site is for recreation in the long-term.

While many of Canterbury’s coastal bathing sites have reasonably good microbial water quality during periods of dry, stable weather, increased runoff from land after moderate to heavy rainfall events often increases faecal bacteria concentrations for short periods (up to 48 hours). When enterococci are detected above 280 per 100ml in two consecutive samples within 24 hours, swimming or other water-based recreational activities are not recommended. Exceedances trigger public health warnings and increase the frequency of sampling.

Regional councils are responsible for implementing a monitoring programme for recreational water quality (as outlined in the 2003 Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines for Marine and Freshwater Recreational Areas). This includes:

sampling for faecal indicator bacteria at popular swimming sites to determine water quality during the swimming season (November – March)
investigations of sources of faecal contamination
informing National Public Health Service – Te Mana Ora and the local district or city council if alert or action levels are reached at a monitored site and if management intervention is required
collating information for annual reporting on water quality for contact recreation, including reporting the assigned Suitability for Recreation Grade for each monitored site.

Reporting on monitored coastal sites graded suitable for contact recreation lets communities know where it’s safe to swim and undertake other water-based recreational activities. It also helps identify areas where further actions are needed to improve coastal water quality.

How do we measure the result?

We collect water samples from over 40 popular coastal recreation sites (estuaries, beaches, and harbours) across the region between November and March in accordance with the 2003 Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines for Marine and Freshwater Recreational Areas, and the National Environment Monitoring Standard for coastal water quality sampling and data processing (NEMS, 2020).

After each summer sampling period, each site is assigned a Suitability for Recreation Grade (SFRG). The SFRG is calculated on sample results from the last five seasons and describes the long-term microbial water quality of the site and any associated health risk. Sites with a SFRG of excellent, good, or fair are considered suitable for swimming and sites graded poor or very poor are considered unsuitable for swimming, regardless of the weekly sample results.

For more information on how the SFRG is determined, refer to the guidelines.

What work have we undertaken to contribute to this outcome?

Canterbury’s Regional Coastal Environment Plan outlines areas that are classified as being managed for contact recreation and shellfish gathering. These areas have minimum standards of water quality (see Schedule 4) that must be met.

Our recreational water quality monitoring programme includes monitoring sites that are commonly used for swimming, boating, and paddling. Our monitoring helps ensure we know which popular bathing sites are safe for primary contact recreation activities, such as swimming, surfing, and diving.

We work with territorial authorities to identify and mitigate contamination sources (i.e. leaky wastewater infrastructure) and communicate to the general public about how they can improve water quality (i.e. picking up dog poo, checking for wastewater leaks and cross connections at their properties and getting their septic tanks serviced).

Who else plays a role?

Central government sets national policy through resource management laws and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.

Resource users (e.g. industries, manufacturers and private consent holders) are required to adhere to the rules and standards set out in regional plans that address faecal bacteria contamination of coastal water.

National Public Health Service – Te Mana Ora is notified of high-risk monitoring results and issues public health warnings for unsuitable swimming sites. The responsibility for follow-up action to health warnings falls to the different agencies involved.

In Waitaha Canterbury, warnings are displayed for the public on the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website and Can I Swim Here?, as well as the Environment Canterbury website.

Where can I find more information?

See Can I Swim Here? on the LAWA website, as well as factsheets on faecal indicator bacteria and coastal and freshwater recreation monitoring.

Environment Canterbury has developed a predictive water quality model for contact recreation in real time. Our trial includes sites in Whakaraupo/Lyttleton Harbour and Akaroa Harbour. The predictive model gives a clearer, more up-to-date picture of current water quality because it makes hourly predictions and is responsive to changes in weather and other climatic conditions.  The model uses more than 11 years of water quality sampling data and real-time conditions to estimate enterococci levels at popular swimming spots. Without a predictive model, sites with poor long-term grades are shown on LAWA as being unsuitable for swimming all summer.

View Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) and Statistics NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa publications that use our data for legislated national environmental reporting (i.e. 3-yearly Our marine environment reporting series and national environmental indicators).

Planning a trip to one of Canterbury's rivers, lakes or coastal areas? Find out where the public access points are and what you can expect when you get there. Our interactive recreational access map can help you explore our beautiful region and decide which publicly accessible site best suits your chosen activity. We have information available on more than 1,000 sites, stretching the entire length of the region. For swimming and other water contact recreation, it’s best to check Can I Swim Here? for up-to-date water quality information for monitored sites before heading out.