During summer, we regularly monitor the water quality at more than 100 popular swim spots in Waitaha. We check for faecal contamination and toxic algae (cyanobacteria).
Find out more about where's good to swim, our monitoring programme, health warnings and toxic algae.
Can I swim here?
Check the LAWA website for up-to-date information on where’s best to swim.
Our monitoring programme
Find out more about our water monitoring programme and water quality grades.
Health warnings
View temporary health warnings in Waitaha.
Toxic algae
Cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae or toxic algae) can make people and animals extremely sick, sometimes causing death.
Check LAWA for water quality
Visit Can I Swim Here? section on the LAWA website to find where’s good to swim on more than 100 swimming spots around Waitaha/Canterbury, as well as sites all around Aotearoa.
The site is updated weekly through summer, generally within two days of sampling. As water quality can change, it’s best to check the LAWA website for up-to-date information before heading out.
- Read the annual summary report 2022-23 season - water quality for contact recreation (PDF file, 9.34 MB) (Environment Canterbury Science Summary)
- Visit the Christchurch City Council website for information about recent discharges to any of the city’s major waterways
- Visit the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website for information on shellfish food safety and marine toxic algal blooms
- Read LAWA’s Factsheet: Coastal and freshwater recreation monitoring