come across places with water quality warnings, especially during summer. In addition, water quality can be a concern for campers and those who enjoy water sports, both at the beach and in freshwater. Keep these tips in mind:
If you are drinking fresh water from creeks and rivers, boil for several minutes or otherwise decontaminate before ingesting to avoid the risk of contracting a parasite or bacterial infection.
Land Air Water Aotearoa has a great free tool to check water quality at over 800 beach, river, and lake sites across the country. Do not swim in areas with recent flooding, and always check water quality after heavy rains, which can reroute wastewater into streams and beaches.